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

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

29 Nov 2021

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)

Organisation

Semi-automated offside technology explained ahead of FIFA Arab Cup

29 Nov 2021

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

25 Nov 2021

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

29 Oct 2021

More
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™

UAE assistant referee Amal Jamal in action

Women's Football

Amal Jamal breaks ground in Emirati officiating

A referee checks the video monitor.

FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™

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

Assistant referee generic image.

Refereeing

Five-substitute option extended until 31 December 2022 in response to ongoing COVID-19 impact

The referee Kai Erik Steen of Norway looks on during the FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball qualifiers match at San Marino Stadium, Serravalle. Picture date: 31st March 2021. Picture credit should read: Jonathan Moscrop/Sportimage PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK SPI-0974-0027

Member Associations

FIFA teams up with Mexican and Ecuadorian football for innovative refereeing agreement 

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - AUGUST 14: Match referee, Stephanie Frappart reacts during the UEFA Super Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Vodafone Park on August 14, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

Next landmark in refereeing: FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers officiated by female referees for first time

International Football Association Board - IFAB

Up-to-date and complete Laws of the Game

Refereeing

Key Documents

Refereeing

5 Jul 2021

4.94 mb
VAR: Implementation assistance and approval Programme requirements
Refereeing
Download pdf4.94 mb
Football Development

28 Jul 2021

4.25 mb
FIFA Refereeing International Lists 2021
Football Development
Download pdf4.25 mb
Football Development

3 Dec 2020

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

3 Dec 2020

0.40 mb
Regulations on the Nomination and Appointment of FIFA Match Officials - (2020)
Football Development
Download pdf0.40 mb

Featured Pages

View of VAR screens during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 semi-final match between Mexico and the Netherlands at Estadio Bezerrao on November 14, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil.
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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