2026 World Cup: Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor named as referees

This year’s expanded World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will feature 48 teams and begins on 11 June.

Australian Jarred Gillett, who has been a referee in the English top flight since 2021, will join the video assistant referee (VAR) team.

Fifa said the process of choosing the 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials spanned more than three years and was “based on quality and consistency of performances at the highest level”.

Italian Collina, who refereed the 2002 World Cup final, said the selected officials “are the very best in the world” and Fifa will “leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our match officials are fully prepared”.

The selected officials will meet for a 10-day preparation seminar next month.

“Our goal is to ensure that they’re in optimal physical and mental condition when they arrive in Miami on 31 May,” said Collina.

For the first time in a World Cup, referees will wear body cameras to give viewers an on-field perspective, while Collina added the use of goal-line technology and an advanced version of semi-automated offside will play an “important role” in supporting match officials.