The 2026 World Cup will feature the largest cohort of referees in tournament history, with FIFA selecting officials from all six confederations. Here's a complete guide to the referee selection process and the notable officials who will be officiating at the 2026 World Cup.

## The Selection Process

FIFA's referee selection process is one of the most rigorous in world football. The process involves several stages:

**Stage 1: Nomination** — Each of FIFA's six confederations (UEFA, CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, OFC) nominates a list of referees and assistant referees based on their performances in domestic and continental competitions.

**Stage 2: Assessment** — FIFA assesses the nominated referees based on a range of criteria, including physical fitness, technical knowledge, decision-making accuracy, and game management.

**Stage 3: Training** — Selected referees attend a series of training camps and workshops, where they are tested on the laws of the game, video review procedures, and fitness standards.

**Stage 4: Final Selection** — FIFA announces the final list of referees and assistant referees who will officiate at the World Cup, typically several months before the tournament.

## Number of Officials

The 2026 World Cup will feature 36 referee trios (one referee and two assistant referees per match), plus a team of VAR officials. The 36 trios are divided among the six confederations, with UEFA and CONMEBOL receiving the largest allocations.

## Confederation Breakdown

**UEFA**: 10 trios — The largest allocation, reflecting the depth of European football. Notable referees include those who have officiated Champions League and Europa League matches.

**CONMEBOL**: 6 trios — South American referees are known for their physical fitness and their willingness to let the game flow.

**AFC**: 5 trios — Asian referees are an increasingly important part of the global officiating pool.

**CAF**: 5 trios — African referees are known for their authoritative style and their ability to manage high-pressure matches.

**CONCACAF**: 6 trios — North and Central American referees benefit from home advantage, with several officiating matches in their home country.

**OFC**: 2 trios — Oceanian referees are a smaller allocation but are an important part of the global officiating pool.

**VAR Officials**: 12 additional officials work the video review stations, monitoring the matches and advising the on-field referees on key decisions.

## Notable Referees

Several notable referees are expected to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, including:

- **Damir Skomina (Slovenia)** — Experienced UEFA referee who has officiated Champions League finals.
- **Fernando Rapallini (Argentina)** — CONMEBOL referee with experience in Copa Libertadores matches.
- **Alireza Faghani (Iran)** — AFC referee with experience in Asian Cup and World Cup matches.
- **Bakary Gassama (Gambia)** — CAF referee with experience in Africa Cup of Nations matches.
- **Ismail Elfath (USA)** — CONCACAF referee who officiated the 2022 World Cup.

## VAR at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will be the third to use Video Assistant Referees (VAR) after the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. The VAR system is used for four types of decisions:

- Goals and offenses leading up to a goal
- Penalty decisions and offenses leading up to a penalty
- Direct red cards
- Mistaken identity

## Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup will feature the largest and most diverse group of referees in tournament history. The selection process is rigorous, and the officials are among the best in the world. The use of VAR will continue to play a key role in ensuring fair and accurate decisions.