The FIFA World Cup is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, uniting countries and cultures under the banner of the beautiful game: football, or as it’s known in the United States, soccer. As teams from around the globe vie for the coveted title, there’s another group of professionals who take the field to ensure fair play, adherence to the rules, and ultimately the integrity of the game—the referees. The selection of referees for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers is a rigorous process, designed to choose the most competent and unbiased individuals. These names symbolize the standard of excellence expected in the sport, as they are entrusted with a role that impacts the outcome of critical matches. This list of referee names for the 2026 qualifiers not only identifies the individuals but also stands as a testament to FIFA’s commitment to uphold the highest standards of the game.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – CONMEBOL (Matchday 1) – 7-8 September 2023
| Match | Referee | Assistant Referee 1 | Assistant Referee 2 | Fourth Official | VAR | AVAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia–Venezuela | Anderson Daronco (BRA) | Rodrigo Figueiredo (BRA) | Guilherme Camilo (BRA) | Paulo Zanovelli (BRA) | Wagner Reway (BRA) | Pablo Goncalves (BRA) |
| Paraguay–Peru | Andres Matonte (URU) | Nicolas Taran (URU) | Martin Soppi (URU) | Jose Burgos (URU) | Leodan Gonzalez (URU) | Richard Trinidad (URU) |
| Argentina–Ecuador | Wilmar Roldan (COL) | Alexander Guzmán (COL) | Wilmar Navarro (COL) | Carlos Ortega (COL) | John Perdomo (COL) | John Leon (COL) |
| Uruguay–Chile | Dario Herrera (ARG) | Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG) | Gabriel Chade (ARG) | Nicolas Lamolina (ARG) | Mauro Vigliano (ARG) | Jorge Baliño (ARG) |
| Brazil–Bolivia | Juan Benitez (PAR) | Eduardo Cardozo (PAR) | Milciades Saldivar (PAR) | Jose Mendez (PAR) | Carlos Benitez (PAR) | Rodney Aquino (PAR) |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – CONMEBOL (Matchday 2)
12 September 2023
| Match | Referee | Assistant Referee 1 | Assistant Referee 2 | Fourth Official | VAR | AVAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivia–Argentina | Esteban Ostojich (URU) | Carlos Barreiro (URU) | Andres Nievas (URU) | Christian Ferreyra (URU) | Andres Cunha (URU) | Antonio Garcia (URU) |
| Ecuador–Uruguay | Wilton Sampaio (BRA) | Danilo Manis (BRA) | Rafael Alves (BRA) | Bruno Arleu (BRA) | Daniel Nobre (BRA) | Igor Benevenuto (BRA) |
| Venezuela–Paraguay | Andres Rojas (COL) | Dionisio Ruiz (COL) | Sebastian Vela (COL) | John Hinestroza (COL) | Yadir Acuna (COL) | David Rodriguez (COL) |
| Peru–Brazil | Fernando Rapallini (ARG) | Diego Bonfa (ARG) | Facundo Rodriguez (ARG) | Pablo Echavarria (ARG) | German Delfino (ARG) | Silvio Trucco (ARG) |
| Chile–Colombia | Jesus Valenzuela (VEN) | Jorge Urrego (VEN) | Tulio Moreno (VEN) | Angel Arteaga (VEN) | Juan Soto (VEN) | Carlos Lopez (VEN) |
Conclusion
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers draw to a close, it is essential to acknowledge the role played by the referees who have been selected for this prestigious event. They have not merely acted as arbitrators of the game but have also been guardians of its spirit and integrity. The names on the list of referees have been carefully selected through a meticulous process, ensuring that they bring a wealth of experience, skill, and impartiality to the pitch. These referees have demonstrated their proficiency in understanding the nuances of the game, implementing the rules fairly, and making split-second decisions that can change the course of history for entire nations. As we look forward to the main event, let’s take a moment to appreciate the referees who made the qualifiers a competition of the highest quality. Their names may not always make the headlines, but their contributions to the beautiful game are indispensable.
Leave a Reply