Slavko Vincic refereed well in the World Cup final - Review

An analysis of the refereeing in the final of the twenty-third FIFA World Cup. 

Final stages: Review

A small review of matches in the quarterfinal, semifinal and third place playoff of the twenty-third FIFA World Cup.

Round of 16: Review

A small review of matches in the second knockout round at the twenty-third FIFA World Cup. 

Round of 32: Review

A small review of matches in the first knockout round at the twenty-third FIFA World Cup. 

Matchday 3: Review

A small review of matches in the final matchday of group stage action at the twenty-third FIFA World Cup. 

Matchday 2: Review (II)

A small review of the final eight matches in matchday two at the twenty-third FIFA World Cup.

Expect the unexpected (decision)?

A look at some of the most controversial incidents from the group stages of FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Matchday 2: Review (I)

A small review of matches twenty-five to forty in the twenty-third FIFA World Cup.

Matchday 1: Review

A small review of the first twenty-four matches in the twenty-third FIFA World Cup. 

Mr Busacca, it should not work like this

In principle it is unfair to single out specific referees, and I would like to put firmly on the record that I wish Omar Al-Ali and his crew well for the New Zealand against Egypt match on Sunday evening. But, some things must be said: Al-Ali's selection as main referee is, from my perspective, one of the most dubiously-originated appointments in recent World Cup history.

Refereeing Stats at World Cup - Chapter 3

Third and last chapter of the  feature prepared by our reader Emmanuel, a journey through some unusual statistics ahead of the World Cup, which is about to begin. 

Refereeing Stats at World Cup - Chapter 2

Second chapter of the  feature prepared by our reader Emmanuel, a journey through some unusual statistics ahead of the World Cup, which is about to begin. 

Refereeing Stats at World Cup - Chapter 1

We are pleased to present a feature prepared by our reader Emmanuel, a journey through some unusual statistics ahead of the World Cup, which is about to begin. 

Who will officiate Champions League final? More an analysis than a real prediction

Since I was asked for that, I tried to point out some key points, according to my opinion, about the process of selection for 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final referee. Not easy, but here a try.

Who did FIFA choose?

Nearing sixty days before the tournament is to kickoff, the FIFA Referees Committee finished their deliberations and selected a team of 170 match officials for the biggest ever World Cup. One should offer the necessary and much-deserved congratulations to them all, and commiserations to all those who missed out - for some of them, some very painful days are ahead, and we wish them well in their recovery. 

Some thoughts on FIFA's choices follow.

Dramatic events in the Spanish race

Who will FIFA choose? An analysis by Mikael W. about the World Cup Preselection

Who will FIFA choose?

Wilton Sampaio from Brazil seems to be a safe name for 2026 WC 

Who will officiate UEFA finals?

Please find below a (short) analysis about the candidates for 2023-24 UEFA CL, EL and ECL finals.

EURO 2024 - an analysis about referees selection

With the last assignments for Qualification's Play Off finals, it's time to make some predictions about the major tournament, to be held in Germany on next months. 

UEFA Euro 2024, back on even years after the extra-ordinary 2020 ('21) edition

Who will officiate UEFA finals?

 Please find below a prediction about the candidates for 2022-23 UEFA CL, EL and ECL finals.

(Un)Happy New Year, World Cup refs! Qatar officials treated as mercenaries for hire in their domestic competitions... and has the fully expected consequences

The last ≈ten years have been a uniquely bad time to be an elite class football referee. It seems somewhere along the line, their managers seem to have forgotten that they are dealing with real human beings and not pure robots. The winter World Cup has been tough for all involved regarding scheduling, but those referees should not accept this argument without contention, as they were ridiculously hoisted back into action post-Qatar as individual athletes. Howard Webb, Medina Cantalejo, et al. - think again, please. 

Well played RFEF-CTA, well played... (sarcasm)