The World Cup is not just about the players, but also about the referees who officiate the games. This year, 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video assistant referees have been selected for the tournament.
The Selection Process
The selection process for World Cup referees began immediately after the last World Cup in Qatar. Candidates were required to attend seminars, undergo fitness tests, and have prior FIFA tournament experience. Their performances in domestic and international competitions were also monitored over the past three years.
Referees come from 50 FIFA member nations across all continental confederations, with eight representing the United States. Among them are also six women, following FIFA’s historic move to include female referees at the last edition in Qatar.
The Challenges of Being a Referee
Being a referee is not an easy task. It demands more than intense training and an unblemished on-field record. Many referees have to juggle match duties alongside a full-time job, which can come at a heavy personal cost. According to Leif Lindberg, a retired referee, ‘most referees have been through at least one divorce’ due to the demands of the job.
Referees also have to deal with the pressure of making split-second decisions that can affect the outcome of a game. They have to be aware of the teams’ defensive tactics and players’ characteristics, and they have to be able to maintain their composure in high-pressure situations.
Despite the challenges, many referees find the job rewarding. As Renato Faverani, a former assistant referee, says, ‘it was a very special moment to follow our national team and hope they would lose’ so that he could officiate in the World Cup.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
