Refereeing

The Focus on Football is vital to FIFA Refereeing

Match officials must have excellent football understanding and need to evolve with the game to stay effective and relevant. Their two main priorities are:

  1. Protecting the safety of players

  2. Consistent and uniform application of the Laws of the Game

FIFA Refereeing reinforces the protection of these core values and the betterment of the game through the development of match officials and referee coaches

Latest from Refereeing

Latest from Refereeing

Norwegian referee Tom Harald Hagen.

Refereeing

FIFA: Everyone should feel safe and welcome in our game

29 Oct 2020

DOHA, QATAR - JUNE 13: A general view during IFAB’s 136th Annual General Meeting on June 13, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/FIFA)

Football Technology & Innovation

The IFAB permanently approves five-substitute option in top-level competitions

13 Jun 2022

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FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™

Referees and assistant referees for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ appointed

1 Jun 2022

RENNES, FRANCE - JUNE 25: During the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Round Of 16 match between Netherlands and Japan at Roazhon Park on June 25, 2019 in Rennes, France. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Refereeing

FIFA and Maurice Revello Tournament partner for world first

20 May 2022

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 03: Referee Mustapha Ghorbal during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 1st Round match between Al Jazira Club and AS Pirae at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 03, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/FIFA)

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

36 referees, 69 assistant referees and 24 video match officials appointed for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

19 May 2022

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Inauguration of AFA’ Refereeing Technology and Development Centre (VOR building) at AFA´s National Technical Centre in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, February 21, 2022. Photo: AFA Desarollo)

Football Development

Argentina inaugurates model Centre for Refereeing Technology and Development to launch VAR

Sweden - Germany (SWE - GER) 4:0, Match No 25, Match for 3rd place, Guangzhou. Teams during national anthems

FIFA Women's World Cup China PR 1991™

Vasconcellos: My 1991 souvenirs still bring tears to my eyes

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - JULY 08: Screens during FTI Offside Technology tests on July 8, 2021 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Football Technology & Innovation

Semi-automated offside technology explained ahead of FIFA Arab Cup

SAMARA, RUSSIA - JULY 07: Assistant Referee Erwin Zeinstra calls for a substitution during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Sweden and England at Samara Arena on July 7, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Legal

Recommendation on permanent five-substitute option supported at IFAB Annual Business Meeting

FIFA Women’s Elite Referees Seminar video analysis

FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™

Doha hosts women’s candidate Referee and VAR seminar

CALI, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 10: During the FIFA Futsal World Cup Group A match between Uzbekistan and Panama at Coliseo el Pueblo on September 10, 2016 in Cali, Colombia. (Photo by Jan Kruger - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™

Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™

International Football Association Board - IFAB

Up-to-date and complete Laws of the Game

Refereeing

Key Documents

Refereeing

27 Jan 2022

3.08 mb
FIFA Refereeing International Lists 2022
Refereeing
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Refereeing

5 Jul 2021

4.94 mb
VAR: Implementation assistance and approval Programme requirements - EN
Refereeing
Download pdf4.94 mb
Refereeing

3 Dec 2020

7.17 mb
Regulations on the Organisation of Refereeing in FIFA MAs (2020)
Refereeing
Download pdf7.17 mb
Refereeing

3 Dec 2020

0.37 mb
Regulations on the Nomination and Appointment of FIFA Match Officials - (2020)
Refereeing
Download pdf0.37 mb

Featured Pages

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Technology

The use of video assistant referees (VARs) in football was included in the Laws of the Game in the 2018/2019 edition. FIFA has now launched the FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology, which assesses the technological aspects of VAR systems.

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