referees news, events & figures

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4 Figures

Figures

Pierre Atcho: Gabonese referee stepping onto the World Cup stage

Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho, on the FIFA International Referees List since 2018, has been named to FIFA’s 2026 World Cup roster after a string of high-profile assignments across African confederation and youth.

Omar Artan: the Somali referee whose World Cup dream collided with U.S. immigration rules

Omar Artan rose from Somali domestic leagues to historic continental finals and FIFA tournaments; selected for the 2026 World Cup, he was later turned away from the U.S.

Drew Fischer: The Canadian referee heading to World Cup 2026

Drew Fischer, a Canadian referee with FIFA status since 2015 and back-to-back MLS Referee of the Year awards, was announced as a referee for the 2026 World Cup, bringing on-field and VAR expertise.

Alireza Faghani: a high‑stakes referee whose badge now bridges Iran and Australia

Alireza Faghani, an Iranian‑born referee now listed by FIFA as Australian, combines a résumé of finals and World Cup appointments with recent political visibility that has made his 2026 selection notable.