The World Cup has begun, with 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video assistant referees selected from 50 FIFA member nations. Among them are eight representatives from the United States and six women, following FIFA’s historic move to include female referees.

Selection Process

The selection process for this World Cup began immediately after Qatar 2022, with candidates 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 face intense training and personal costs to officiate at the World Cup. Many have to balance their refereeing career with a full-time job, which can lead to sacrifices in family life. Leif Lindberg, a retired referee, says, "Most referees have been through at least one divorce… Many sacrifice family life in one way or another."

Officiating the Final

Being chosen to officiate the World Cup final is a significant honor. Renato Faverani, an Italian referee, recalls the moment he was selected to officiate the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina. He says, "It was a very special moment… Then, the pressure and responsibility arrived. You just hope the match comes quickly because the pressure is very high."

Referees must prepare extensively for each match, studying the teams, their tactics, and player characteristics. Faverani says, "It is vital to understand a team’s defensive tactics and players’ characteristics… Knowing which players are prone to confrontations and sharp exchanges helped me maintain composure."

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.