FIFA has announced the selection of 52 match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The list includes 36 referees, 69 assistant referees, and 18 video match officials from around the globe.
Among the selected officials, seven are from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This represents a significant contingent from the continent for the expanded 48-team tournament. The officials have been chosen based on their performances in FIFA tournaments and other international and domestic competitions over recent years.
The preparation program for the selected officials will include regular seminars and the use of a dedicated monitoring and support program. FIFA states that the officials will be closely observed until the final selection for each match of the tournament is made.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and will be held in 16 cities across the three host nations. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026.
