CBF Unveils 72-Member Professional Referee Corps for 2026 Brasileirão

Overview

• Seventy-two officials were named—20 referees, 40 assistants and 12 VAR specialists—with season contracts taking effect in March and initial deployment in Série A.
• The pay model introduces monthly salaries, match fees and performance bonuses, with reported top pay around R$30,000 for central referees and R$24 million allocated to that group.
• Officials will be graded each round by observers and a CBF technical commission, feeding a ranking that drives bonuses and annual movement with at least two demotions and promotions per function.
• Operational support includes monthly in-person reviews, telemedicine and wearable monitoring, multidisciplinary health staff, and a 28‑day reintegration process after significant errors starting in Série B.
• Technology upgrades include R$50 million for VAR over two years, R$25 million to implement semi‑automated offside now in testing, Refcam trials, and relocating the on‑field review booth to cut audio leakage and standardize communication.