Elite European referees gather for final seminar ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™

The final seminar to prepare match officials for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has been held in Italy where 16 elite referees from 15 different European FIFA Member Associations (MAs) were put through their paces.

FWC26 Referee Seminar - Italy

Canadian Premier League to conduct “daylight offside” trial in cooperation with FIFA

In cooperation with FIFA, the Canadian Premier League (CPL) will test an alternative offside Law at professional level when its 2026 season gets under way on 4 April.

South Africa v Italy: Group G - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ referee training and selection process continues with Rio de Janeiro seminar

As a competitive qualifying campaign starts to heat up across the globe, the selection process and training for the 33rd team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ has already begun. 

FIFA Referee's Seminar - Rio de Janeiro

The fourth edition of the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma kicks off in Paris

The 20-month training course began with a six-day workshop in Paris, France. The agenda is packed with theory sessions, hands-on exercises and an outing to Clairefontaine. 

Launch of FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma - Clairefontaine

'Representation matters' for female referees says Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day provides a vital opportunity to celebrate the women shaping football at every level; female referees are increasingly breaking barriers, demonstrating on the field that excellence and competence define authority rather than gender

The Game Changers with Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb

FIFA Member Associations in focus (February 2026)

FIFA provides financial and logistical support to its 211 Member Associations (MAs) through various programmes. Inside FIFA takes a look at the extraordinary work done during February 2026 to promote, strengthen and make football truly global. 

Costa Rica Training Session - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

FIFA Pitch Research Project field day held at University of Tennessee

FIFA World Cup 2026™ experts, turf scientists and groundskeepers attend two-day workshops in Knoxville, Tennessee

FIFA Future Host Visit SB

FIFA World Cup 2026 preparation continues for AFC, CAF and OFC elite referees

Referees from Asia, Africa and Oceania took their next steps towards officiating in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ when they participated in the second of a series of intensive refereeing seminars organised by world football’s governing body.

FIFA Referee Seminar - Doha

FIFA President welcomes IFAB consultation to improve player behaviour ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has welcomed The International Football Association Board’s (The IFAB) decision to examine how to improve player behaviour and increase respect of match officials ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) 

The IFAB introduces further measures to improve match flow and player behaviour

At its 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM), The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) approved a package of measures designed to enhance match tempo and reduce time-wasting across the game. 

IFAB meeting 2026

FIFA Quality Programme announces PlayerData as a FIFA Preferred Provider for Player Tracking

FIFA is happy to announce PlayerData as a FIFA Preferred Provider for Player Tracking within the framework of the FIFA Quality Programme for Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems (EPTS). 

EPTS

FIFA Member Associations in focus (January 2026)

FIFA provides financial and logistical support to its 211 Member Associations (MAs) through various programmes. Inside FIFA takes a look at the extraordinary work done during October 2025 to promote, strengthen and make football truly global. 

Auckland FC v South Island United, OFC Pro League

Match officials appointed for FIFA Women’s Champions 2026™ final matches 

Match officials have been confirmed for the play-off for third place and the final of the FIFA Women’s Champions 2026™ which take place in the Arsenal Stadium in London on Sunday 1 February.

Colombia v Norway: Group F - FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

Match officials appointed for semi-finals of inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™

With the final stage of the maiden FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ almost upon us, the FIFA Referees Committee has appointed 12 match officials to oversee the semi-finals.

France v Jamaica: Group F - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Elite Concacaf and CONMEBOL referees undergo meticulous preparation for FIFA World Cup 2026™

As FIFA looks to ensure its match officials reach peak performance for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer, the first in a series of intensive refereeing seminars was held in Rio de Janeiro. 

Concacaf and CONMEBOL referees undergo meticulous preparation for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Seminar For Prospective FWC 2026 Referees from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF

Elite Concacaf and CONMEBOL referees prepare for FIFA World Cup 2026™

IFAB Annual Business Meeting supports further measures to improve match flow and reduce disruptions

At its Annual Business Meeting (ABM), held in London and chaired by Noel Mooney, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales, The IFAB focused on various measures aimed at continuing to improve match flow and reduce tempo disruption.

FIFA and Lenovo unveil multiple AI-powered innovations ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™

FIFA and Lenovo have unveiled a series of technological innovations driven by AI that are set to enhance officiating technologies, match analysis capabilities and performance, and drive fan engagement ahead of theFIFA World Cup 2026™.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang at Lenovo Tech World 2026

FIFA uses FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025™ to further test, refine and enhance football technology

"Out of Bounds” technology offline test being implemented throughout tournament

FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 match ball

Female referees on Cloud Nine after FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup™ final

The historic FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025™ came to an end on Sunday with an enthralling final, which saw Brazil etch their name into the history books as the tournament’s first-ever champions after defeating Portugal 3-0

 Ana Azevedo of Portugal and Taty Debiasi Croceta of Brazil pose for a photo alongside referee and assistant referee prior to the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup - Final match between Portugal and Brazil at PhilSports Arena in Manila, Philippines

Technical Study Group takes key learnings from historic FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™

Technical Study Group (TSG) members observed the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ at Philippines 2025

FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Adidas Connect 25 match ball 

Second class of FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma graduates honoured in Zürich

While fans across the globe were focused on Washington DC and the climactic Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, football’s long-term future was taking shape in Zürich, where the second edition of the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma concluded.

Group photo at the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma graduation ceremony

“No stone unturned”: Referees undergo meticulous preparation for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Pierluigi Collina, the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, has spoken about the meticulous preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, saying that no stone has been left unturned to ensure that standards are as high as possible. 

Pierluigi Collina, the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, speaks

FIFA Member Associations in focus (November 2025)

FIFA Arena Inauguration - Malta

Arsène Wenger wants “whole world to have chance to play” as Technical Study Group report on FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™

FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger has hailed the success of the inaugural 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup™, held in Qatar, saying it would have a global impact on the development of the game.

General view during the Technical Study Group press conference

Match officials appointed for Round 2 of FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026™

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will take charge of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ Round 2 showdown between Wuhan Jiangda and AS FAR at the Stade Municipal de Berrechid in Morocco on Sunday, 14 December.

USA v Korea DPR: Semifinal - FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024

Collaboration key to game’s future, FIFA Secretary General tells FIFA Innovation Conference

Global football and technology stakeholders gathered at the Home of FIFA for a two-day conference to look at the success of recent technological innovations, such as the use of referee body cams at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

FIFA Innovation Conference

FIFA Innovation Conference highlights collaborative efforts to enhance football through purposeful innovations

The first FIFA Innovation Conference brought together a diverse community of football and technology experts to exchange ideas and explore how innovation particularly driven by collaboration can address the evolving challenges of the modern game.

Development high on the agenda as U-17 players and coaches swap stories in Doha

Two sets of summits held around the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ – which has been expanded to 48 teams and is now being played every year – have given players and coaches a golden opportunity to receive educational sessions on important topics.

Group picture during the Coaches and Technical Exchange

Technical Study Group for expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ unveiled

FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG) will be analysing and evaluating the trends, tactical innovations and performances at the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™.

Technical Study Group (TSG) for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025

Charly Deretti and Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb reunite at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025™

Brazil and China PR faced off in the Round of 16 at the  FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025™. The game stirred up no shortage of memories for Charly Deretti, who is one of the 54 match officials on duty at the global showpiece.

Advisory panels of The IFAB discuss further ways of improving match flow and reducing disruptions in football

In a virtual meeting of The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP), discussions covered a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on further measures to improve the flow of play and minimise interruptions and time lost.

Official Adidas match ball during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025

Match officials appointed for first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the list of match officials who will take charge of encounters at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™, set to be held in the Philippines from 21 November to 7 December 2025.

FIFA Team One armband

FIFA Technical Study Group shares insights on the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™

The FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) has presented its analysis of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™. They pointed out specific aspects such as the role of the goalkeeper during short goal kicks, and the use of zonal marking at corners. 

Technical Study Group press conference at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 

FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ final and third-place play-off referees announced

Maurizio Mariani from Italy, will be the referee of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ final. Omar Abdulkadir Artan of Somalia will referee the third place match of the tournament. ootball Video Support (FVS) has been used throughout the competition.

Referee Maurizio Mariani gestures during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ semi-final refereeing teams announced

FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™️ semi-final refereeing teams announced. ⁠The Football Video Support system (FVS) is used throughout the competition.

Morocco v Spain: Group C - FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

Match officials appointed for FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™

The FIFA Referees Committee has appointed 54 match officials (14 referees, 28 assistant referees and 12 video match officials) from 23 Member Associations to officiate at the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup™.

Costa Rica v Netherlands - FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024

FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ quarter-final refereeing teams announced 

FIFA has announced the refereeing teams for the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™. The Football Video Support (FVS) will be used in the competition.

South Africa v United States: Group E - FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

Refereeing teams announced for FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ round of 16

FIFA has released details of the refereeing teams that will take charge of the round-of-16 matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™. Football Video Support system is being used at competition.

Nigeria v Saudi Arabia: Group F - FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

FIFA Member Associations in focus (September 2025)

We take a look at the extraordinary work that FIFA member associations have done in recent weeks to promote, strengthen, and make football truly global.

Football Video Support moving forwards and gaining global momentum

Football Video Support (FVS), designed as an accessible and cost-effective video replay system for key refereeing calls, is rapidly gaining traction across the world game.

Technical Study Group for FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ announced

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ is almost upon us, with excitement building as the 24 teams make their final preparations and the bright prospects in their squads gear up to grace the global stage.

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