FIFA has announced the selection of an eighth French referee for the 2026 World Cup, a record number of officials from a single country. The referee, whose name has not been disclosed in the available information, joins seven other French officials already chosen for the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will feature 48 teams for the first time. The expanded tournament requires a larger pool of referees, and France's strong representation reflects the quality of its officiating program.
French football officials have praised the selection, calling it "excellent news" for French refereeing. The previous record for French referees at a World Cup was five, set in 2018.
