FIFA Names Six Female Referees Among Officials for 2026 World Cup in North America ZURICH, April 9, 2026 FIFA has selected 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials for the 2026 World Cup, including six female referees, marking a continued push for gender inclusivity in the sport’s highest-profile tournament.
## Historic Inclusion of Female Referees The 2026 World Cup will feature six female referees among its officiating team, a milestone for the tournament as it expands to 104 matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This selection follows FIFA’s ongoing efforts to integrate more women into top-tier football officiating, building on their appearances in previous World Cups and other major competitions.
The inclusion of female referees reflects a broader trend in global football, where governing bodies have increasingly emphasized diversity in officiating roles. While the names of the selected referees were not immediately disclosed, their participation underscores FIFA’s commitment to breaking gender barriers in the sport.
## Austrian Referees Absent from World Cup Lineup For the first time since 1998, no Austrian referees have been nominated for the World Cup. The last Austrian official to oversee a World Cup match was Günter Benkö in 1998, while Konrad Plautz was the most recent Austrian referee at a major tournament, officiating during the 2008 European Championship.
The absence of Austrian referees highlights the competitive nature of FIFA’s selection process, which draws from a global pool of candidates. Austria’s football association has yet to comment on the omission, but the lack of representation marks a significant gap for a nation with a storied football history.
## Tournament Details and Officiating Preparation The 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be the first to be hosted jointly by three nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With 104 matches planned, the tournament will require an unprecedented number of officials, including the 170 referees and assistants announced by FIFA.
Preparations for the officiating team are already underway, with referees expected to undergo rigorous training and evaluation ahead of the tournament. FIFA’s selection criteria emphasize experience, performance in high-pressure matches, and adherence to the sport’s evolving rules, particularly with the increased use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology.
The inclusion of female referees and the expanded officiating roster reflect FIFA’s adaptation to the growing scale and scrutiny of the World Cup. As the tournament approaches, the focus will shift to how these officials perform on football’s biggest stage.
## Global Representation in Officiating FIFA’s selection process prioritizes diversity not only in gender but also in geographic representation. The 2026 officiating team includes referees from across FIFA’s six continental confederations, ensuring a broad range of perspectives and styles in match management.
While specific nationalities of the selected referees were not detailed in the announcement, the presence of officials from traditionally underrepresented regions is expected. This approach aligns with FIFA’s broader goals of promoting inclusivity and fairness in global football.
The 2026 World Cup will be a litmus test for the expanded officiating team, particularly as the tournament introduces new challenges with its three-host format. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the referees, including the six women, handle the pressure and scrutiny of the world’s most-watched sporting event.