As the world prepares for the largest-ever expansion of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the focus often lands on the players and the stadiums. However, the success of the 104 matches scheduled across North America rests largely on the shoulders of the elite officiating team. In December 2025, FIFA officially revealed the 2026 International List of Referees, setting the stage for the final selection process that will determine who controls the pitch in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
FIFA World Cup Referees 2026: The Selection List
The pre-selection process is in its final phase. Candidates from every confederation are currently undergoing intensive seminars.
The "Final Cut": While the full 2026 international list contains hundreds of eligible officials, the final tournament squad is expected to be announced in March 2026 following the final UEFA seminar in Dubai.
Key Candidates (England): High-profile names like Michael Oliver, Anthony Taylor, and Chris Kavanagh (recently promoted to Elite status) are currently on the list and are heavy favorites for selection.
Key Candidates (North America): Representing the hosts, Michael Venne (Canada) and Drew Fischer (Canada) have been named to the 2026 international list, alongside top US officials.
How much do World Cup referees get paid?
The 2026 tournament is expected to maintain or slightly increase the record pay scales introduced in Qatar 2022.
Base Salary: Elite referees selected for the tournament typically receive a flat fee of $70,000 for their participation.
Per-Match Fees:
Group Stage: ~$3,000 per match.
Knockout Stage: ~$10,000 per match.
Assistants & Fourth Officials: These roles typically earn a base of $25,000 plus match fees (~$2,500 in groups, ~$5,000 in knockouts).
VAR Officials: With 104 matches in 2026, VAR officials are expected to see a significant workload, with per-match fees averaging $3,000 to $5,000.Spotlight: Who is Alireza Faghani?
Alireza Faghani has become one of the most recognizable names in international officiating.
The "Global" Referee: Originally representing Iran, Faghani migrated to Australia in 2019.
Major Achievement: In July 2025, Faghani reached a career pinnacle by refereeing the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG at MetLife Stadium.
Who will referee the World Cup Final in 2026?
While the appointment won't be made until July 2026, history and current form point to a few frontrunners:
Szymon Marciniak (Poland): The 2022 Final referee remains at the top of his game.
Michael Oliver (England): Widely considered one of the best technical referees in the world.
Alireza Faghani (Australia): Following his 2025 Club World Cup final performance, he is a serious contender for a major knockout appointment in 2026.
FIFA World Cup Referee Statistics (Projected 2026)
| Category | 2022 (Qatar) | 2026 (Projected) |
| Main Referees | 36 | 45-50 |
| Assistant Referees | 69 | 90-100 |
| Video Match Officials (VMO) | 24 | 35-40 |
| Total Matches Managed | 64 | 104 |
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 vs. World Cup 2026
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup served as the "dress rehearsal" for 2026 venues and refereeing technology.
New Tech: The tournament successfully debuted the "Referee Camera" and semi-automated offside technology, both of which will be standard for the 2026 World Cup.
Referee Standouts: Alongside Faghani, officials like Cesar Ramos (Mexico) and Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria) received high marks for their performances in the 2025 tournament.