What it takes to be chosen as a World Cup referee – and how to ref the final

As 48 nations battle for World Cup glory, another group has endured a similarly grueling path to soccer’s biggest stage: the ...

Speaking English and mental training: the requirements that World Cup referees must meet

This is the demanding physical, mental and linguistic preparations which referees must overcome on the road to the World Cup.

What is VAR? Soccer's video review system explained for World Cup

VAR has changed how soccer is officiated and it has new powers at the 2026 World Cup. Here is how the video review system ...

Soccer-Time-wasting crackdown at World Cup a rousing success, says refereeing chief Collina

By Rohith Nair MIAMI, June 30 (Reuters) - FIFA's new anti-time-wasting rules at the World Cup have proved an overwhelming hit ...
The New York Times

A day at World Cup referee training: Chants, VAR feedback and dissecting the Mbappe penalty call

Referees' committee chairman Pierluigi Collina speaks at a debrief Leonardo Fernandez/FIFA via Getty Images It is just after 8.30am on Wednesday and Pierluigi Collina, microphone in hand, is standing ...

‘It can all end with one bad game’: the highs and lows of a World Cup referee

Even the finest officials miss out on a place at the finals and for those who do get the nod, decisions can make or break a dream ...