On June 2026 the organisers named 170 match officials for WC 2026: 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials, the largest officiating group in the tournament's history.

This guide covers who was selected, how they were chosen, the technology they will use, and the new rules they will enforce when the tournament kicks off on 11 June 2026. Match assignments and the final referee are confirmed later.

Start with the official list, then how the referees were chosen, the technology and the rules.

The list of officials 

The organisers describe the group as the most comprehensive in the tournament's history, with officials drawn from all six confederations and 50 member associations. The split is heavily weighted towards Europe and South America. The list was announced on June 2026, around two months before kick-off, giving the chosen officials a long run-in to prepare for the demands of a continental, three-country event.

Among the 52 referees, Europe provides the largest contingent, ahead of South America and the host confederation.

For where these officials will work, see the WC 2026 stadiums guide.

Notable referees to watch

The list mixes established names with rising officials. The selection below highlights some of the most experienced, including the official who took charge of the 2022 final.

Poland's Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 final, is among the most decorated names on the list. Brazil's Raphael Claus brings recent continental final experience, and Argentina sends three referees, more than any other single nation alongside Brazil. Women officiate at the men's tournament once again, with the United States' Tori Penso and Mexico's Katia Garcia among those selected, a continuation of the milestone first reached in 2022.

Belgian representation

Belgium is represented in the officiating group by video match official Bram Van Driessche, who works from the centralised video operations room rather than on the pitch. A video match official supports the on-field referee by reviewing incidents and flagging clear and obvious errors, so the role carries real influence over decisions even without a whistle.

There is no Belgian referee in the on-field group this time, so Van Driessche carries the national flag among the officials. For the Belgium's own campaign information, see Belgium at WC 2026.

How referees are selected

The appointments follow a long monitoring programme run by the referees committee, chaired by Pierluigi Collina, with Massimo Busacca as director of refereeing. Preparation began straight after the 2022 tournament.

Over more than three years, candidates were assessed through seminars, workshops and continuous review of their performances at the highest level, including recent continental tournaments and the expanded club competition staged in 2025. The stated principle is quality first, judged on the consistency of performances rather than reputation.

Officials are typically grouped into trios, a referee with two assistant referees from the same country or region, who then work together across the tournament. Others are selected as fourth officials or video specialists. Before the tournament begins, the whole group attends a final preparation seminar, combining fitness testing with detailed work on the latest interpretations of the laws, so that decisions are applied as consistently as possible across all 16 venues.

Match assignments and the final

The list confirms who will officiate, but not yet which official takes which game. As at every tournament, individual match appointments, including the high-profile knockout fixtures, are decided closer to and during the event, based on performance in earlier rounds. Strong group-stage displays tend to earn the bigger knockout ties, so even the most experienced names are not guaranteed the showpiece games.

This page will be updated with the key appointments once they are confirmed. In 2022 the final referee was named only days before the match, typically once the semi-finals are complete, so it is one of the last pieces of the tournament to fall into place. It also depends which teams make the final, of course. 

Technology / VAR

Referees will be supported by the most extensive technology package yet, building on the systems used at the 2022 tournament.

• Goal-line technology: instant confirmation of whether the ball has crossed the line.
• Advanced semi-automated offside: faster, more accurate offside calls using tracking data.
• Connected ball technology: a sensor inside the ball feeds precise touch and movement data to the video team.
• Referee perspective: for the first time, fans will be able to see footage from the referee's on-field point of view.

Several competitions also now allow the referee to announce the outcome of a video review to the stadium, a transparency measure that may feature at the tournament. Taken together, the package is aimed at faster, clearer decisions, which matters more than ever across an expanded schedule of 104 matches.

New rules 

The referees arrive with an updated set of Laws of the Game that have been in force since 1 July 2025. Two changes stand out.

The eight-second goalkeeper rule. If a goalkeeper controls the ball with the hands for more than eight seconds, the referee awards a corner kick to the opposing team, rather than the old indirect free kick. The referee shows a visible countdown of the final five seconds with a raised hand, so players and fans can see the clock running. The rule is designed to cut time-wasting and was already applied at the expanded club competition in 2025.

The captain-only protocol. Trialled at recent major tournaments and now widely adopted, this lets only the on-field captain approach the referee on major decisions, with a designated player standing in if the captain is a goalkeeper. The aim is to reduce crowding and protect officials from confrontation, a priority after several high-profile clashes between players and referees in recent seasons, and a change supporters will notice quickly on screen.

Other smaller updates cover dropped-ball restarts and penalty retakes, but the two above are the changes most likely to affect how matches feel. Belgian fans who follow the domestic league will already recognise both, since they have applied in the Pro League and across Europe since the 2025-26 season. For the wider rules of the expanded format, see the WC 2026 format guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many referees are at WC 2026?

There are 52 referees, supported by 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials, 170 in total, named on June 2026 from all six confederations.

Is there a Belgian referee?

Belgium is represented by video match official Bram Van Driessche. There is no Belgian referee in the on-field group for this tournament.

Who referees the final?

That is not yet decided. Individual match appointments, including the final on 19 July, are confirmed closer to and during the tournament based on earlier performances.

What is the eight-second goalkeeper rule?

If a goalkeeper holds the ball with the hands for more than eight seconds, the opposing team gets a corner. The referee shows a five-second countdown by hand before penalising.

What is the captain-only rule?

Only the team captain may approach the referee on major decisions. If the captain is a goalkeeper, a designated outfield player takes that role. It is meant to reduce crowding around officials.

Will women referee at the tournament?

Yes. Following the precedent set in 2022, female officials are again included, among them the United States' Tori Penso and Mexico's Katia Garcia.

Why are there so many officials this time?

Because the tournament has grown. With 48 teams and 104 matches across three countries, more trios are needed to cover the schedule and to rotate officials safely through a five-week event in summer heat.

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Explore more WC 2026 content

• WC 2026 format and rules
• WC 2026 stadiums and venues
• Belgium at WC 2026
• WC history and records
• WC 2026 hub

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