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FIFA Names 2026 World Cup Officiating Team With Zwayer as Germany’s Lone Referee

FIFA’s larger crew reflects the 48‑team, 104‑match format.

Overview

  • FIFA’s list, released Thursday, names 52 referees, 88 assistants, and 30 video officials to cover 104 matches in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
  • Felix Zwayer is the only German on-field referee, with Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz as his assistants and Bastian Dankert assigned as the video assistant; Daniel Siebert was left off the list.
  • Officials will gather in Miami for a 10‑day seminar starting May 31, and video referees will relocate to Dallas for centralized operations.
  • Referees will apply new IFAB rules, including VAR checks on corner decisions, second‑yellow‑to‑red situations, and mistaken identity, plus a five‑second countdown for throw‑ins and goal kicks.
  • FIFA cites six women across the officiating group, and Mexico’s Katia Garcia is the only on‑field woman named.