FIFA has announced the match officials for the upcoming World Cup scheduled for June 11 to July 19, unveiling a total of 52 referees, including six women.
The selection, known as FIFA Team One, also includes 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials drawn from all six football confederations and representing 50 member associations.
FIFA said the appointments were based on its “quality first” principle, taking into account consistent performance in recent domestic and international competitions, as well as FIFA tournaments over the past three years.
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, described the selected officials as the best in the world, noting that they had been closely monitored, trained, and assessed over several years.
He added that referees would receive ongoing physical, medical, and psychological support to ensure peak performance ahead of the tournament, which will be staged across multiple venues in what is set to be the largest World Cup in history.
The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, making it the most extensive tournament to date. Collina also highlighted the inclusion of six women match officials, continuing a trend introduced at the previous World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca said preparations began immediately after the 2022 World Cup, with a structured programme involving seminars, workshops, and continuous monitoring of candidates.
He noted that referees will undergo intensive preparation in Miami, while video match officials will be based in Dallas during the tournament.
FIFA also confirmed that advanced technologies, including goal-line systems, semi-automated offside tools, and connected ball technology, will be deployed to assist decision-making. For the first time, fans will also gain access to referee on-field perspectives through new broadcast innovations.