FIFA has confirmed the refereeing team for the 2026 World Cup, with 170 officials drawn from 50 national associations across all continental confederations assigned to manage matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The panel comprises 52 field referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees, six of whom are women. It is the largest refereeing contingent in the tournament’s history, expanding by 41 officials compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar. The group was selected through an evaluation process spanning more than three years, covering performance in FIFA tournaments as well as domestic and continental competitions.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the team’s training camp in Miami yesterday, where officials are currently midway through a 10-day preparation programme. Video assistant referees will later relocate to the International Broadcasting Center in Dallas, while Miami will serve as the base for field referees and their assistants throughout the tournament.
Infantino said the referees represent the elite of the world’s officiating corps and praised the level of physical, mental and emotional preparation the group had reached. “The success of the referees is part of the success of FIFA,” he said.
In a nod to the host city, FIFA adopted a “Pink Flamingo” training uniform for the camp, inspired by the Florida city’s most recognisable symbol. Referees are scheduled to wear pink shirts during Miami’s opening match of the tournament, when Uruguay face Saudi Arabia on June 15.
