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FIFA has officially unveiled the complete lineup of match officials for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

The World Cup 2026 will feature 104 matches, each requiring a dedicated team of officials responsible for managing key decisions, handling hydration breaks, reviewing video footage, and maintaining order among 1,248 players from June 11 to July 19.

While match-specific appointments will be confirmed later, the list of referees chosen to officiate at the tournament has been released. FourFourTwo provides the full breakdown.

FIFA has selected 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials for the 2026 edition. Below is a country-by-country look at the referees you’ll see in action this summer.

Mustapha Ghorbal, who has been officiating in Algeria’s top division since 2011 and joined FIFA’s international referees list in 2014, also refereed four matches at the 2022 World Cup.

Argentina’s Yael Falcon, a physical education teacher, gained eligibility to officiate international matches in 2022 and will make his World Cup debut this year.

At 41, Dario Herrera, who refereed at Copa America 2024 in the United States, will officiate at his first senior World Cup in June.

Facundo Tello, accredited to handle international fixtures since 2019, will be among the more seasoned referees at the 2026 tournament.

Veteran referee Alireza Faghani, originally from Iran and now officiating in Australia’s A-League, joined FIFA’s international referees list in 2008. The 2026 tournament marks his third World Cup finals appearance.

Raphael Claus, aged 46 and on FIFA’s list since 2015, will oversee matches at his second consecutive World Cup after refereeing the Copa America 2024 final.

Ramon Abatti, promoted to FIFA’s list in 2021, will also be taking part in his second World Cup.

The referee who oversaw England’s 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France will return to the world stage this summer in North America.

Canadian referee Drew Fischer, who joined the FIFA international list in 2015, holds a physics degree and has spent 14 years officiating in Major League Soccer. The 2026 edition will be his first men’s World Cup after previously serving as a VAR at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Chilean official Cristian Garay, 37, described his first World Cup appointment as the greatest achievement of his career.

China’s Ma Ning, who has been refereeing in the Chinese Super League since 2010 and joined FIFA in 2011, oversaw the 2024 AFC Asian Cup final.

Colombian referee Andres Rojas, 41, brings considerable experience and consistency to the event despite past controversies, including a clash with Filipe Luis in the Copa Libertadores.

Juan Calderon, 39, will represent CONCACAF as one of four referees from outside the host nations.

Egypt’s Amin Omar, a lawyer by profession, has been on FIFA’s list since 2017 and has officiated in Egypt’s top league for several years.

Salvadoran Ivan Barton, aged 35, already boasts experience from both the World Cup and Club World Cup.

England’s Michael Oliver, one of the most experienced referees at the 2026 World Cup, has been on FIFA’s list since 2012 and has officiated Premier League matches since 2010, including games at the 2022 World Cup.

Anthony Taylor, another seasoned Premier League official, joined FIFA’s list in 2013 and has refereed in major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup and the Club World Cup final.

French referee Francois Letexier, aged 36, has been officiating in Ligue 1 for a decade and joined the FIFA list in 2017. He recently handled the European Championship final and is known for a heated encounter with Jose Mourinho during a Champions League tie.

Clement Turpin, France’s senior representative, has been a FIFA referee since 2010 and has officiated five matches across the last two World Cups, in addition to multiple European Championship fixtures.

Pierre Atcho of Gabon, on FIFA’s international list for eight years, will make his World Cup debut this summer.

German referee Felix Zwayer, 44, brings extensive experience since becoming a DFB referee in 2004 and joining FIFA in 2012. Despite a past six-month ban related to a match-fixing case, Zwayer has officiated major finals, including last year’s all-English Europa League final.

Honduras’ Said Martinez, with significant youth tournament experience, will make his senior World Cup debut this June.

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani, who also serves in the merchant navy, has been officiating since 2007, joined FIFA’s list in 2019, and will make his major tournament debut this summer.

Jamaica’s Oshane Nation, who gained experience at the Under-20 World Cup, has been selected for the 2026 edition.

Japan’s Yusuke Araki, promoted to the J1 League in 2014 and FIFA in 2017, will make his first World Cup appearance.

Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh, on FIFA’s list since 2013, made his major tournament debut at the AFC Asian Cup in 2023 and will now officiate at his first World Cup.

Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, a CAF-level referee, has officiated at both the Africa Cup of Nations final and the Olympic quarter-finals.

Mexican referee Katia Garcia, 33, joined FIFA’s list in 2019 and transitioned from the women’s game to Liga MX in 2024. She previously officiated two group-stage matches at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and will now debut at the men’s tournament.

Fellow Mexican Cesar Ramos, 42, will be officiating at his third World Cup. On FIFA’s list since 2014, he oversaw three matches in 2018 and four in 2022, including the semi-final between France and Morocco.

Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed, 39, has officiated four Africa Cup of Nations matches, averaging four yellow cards per game.

Dutch referee Danny Makkelie, who also serves in the police force, will return for his second World Cup after officiating in previous European Championships and the 2020 Europa League final.

Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh from New Zealand will be the only Oceania representative. He officiates in the A-League, and his wife, Anna-Marie Keighley, is also a FIFA-listed referee.

Norwegian referee Espen Eskas, 37, on FIFA’s list since 2017, made his mark at the last Olympic Games and will now make his major tournament debut.

Paraguayan Juan Gabriel Benitez will officiate at his first World Cup after handling the 2025 Club World Cup tie between Mamelodi Sundowns and Borussia Dortmund.

Peruvian Kevin Ortega, who clashed with Christian Pulisic during Copa America 2024, will officiate his second World Cup.

Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, has vast experience, including the 2023 Champions League final and 10 major international matches.

Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro, 38, has been on the FIFA list since 2016 and brings extensive experience from Portugal’s top division.

Qatar’s Abdulrahman Al Jassim, who officiated at World Cup 2022, including the matches between the United States and Wales and Croatia versus Morocco, joined FIFA’s list in 2013.

Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs, who officiated the inaugural Conference League final and a Champions League semi-final, will return after being an unused referee in 2022.

Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al-Turais will represent his nation, accompanied by assistant Mohammed Al-Abkari and VAR Abdullah Al-Shehri.

UEFA’s Slavko Vincic, a veteran referee since 2010, has officiated Champions League and Europa League finals as well as matches at the 2022 World Cup and recent European Championships.

Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of the youngest referees at the tournament, has experience in the Africa Cup of Nations and Under-20 World Cup.

South Africa’s Abongile Tom, 34, will make his World Cup debut following appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Spain’s Alejandro Hernandez, regarded among the best in La Liga, has been officiating since 2012 and joined UEFA’s list in 2014.

Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg, 37, will lead an all-Swedish officiating team. He debuted at a major tournament during Euro 2024 and comes from a family of referees.

Switzerland’s Sandro Schaerer, a Super League referee since 2015, is among UEFA’s elite officials and has overseen continental finals.

UAE’s Omar Al-Ali, aged 38, has been officiating in the Emirati league since 2014 and is one of eight Asian referees chosen for the 2026 World Cup.

US-based Ismail Elfath, born in Morocco, has been an MLS referee since 2012 and joined FIFA’s international list in 2016. He made history as the first referee to conduct an on-field VAR review and served as fourth official in the 2022 World Cup final.

Fellow American Tori Penso, listed by FIFA in 2021 and part of MLS since 2020, refereed the 2023 Women’s World Cup final and will make her first men’s World Cup appearance in 2026.

Uruguayan Gustavo Tejera, on FIFA’s list since 2018, officiated at Copa America 2024.

Uzbekistan’s Ilgiz Tantashev, on FIFA’s list since 2013, has officiated at both the Olympic Games and the AFC Asian Cup.

Venezuela’s Jesus Valenzuela, returning for his second World Cup, will represent his country alongside two assistant referees.

“Following a meticulous and comprehensive selection process spanning over three years, FIFA has released the list of match officials who will oversee games at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” the governing body announced.

Here is the complete list of the 52 referees, assistant referees, and video match officials selected for World Cup duties this summer.