FIFA has announced the list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, with no sign of the well-known Thai referee.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) revealed the list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July. The list includes 52 main referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 VAR officials, totaling 170 referees selected from 50 member countries worldwide.
Notably, the list does not include "Coach Referee" Siwakorn Phuadom, a FIFA Elite-level Thai referee, despite his several previous assignments as a VAR official in AFC competitions.
Meanwhile, familiar names to English Premier League fans such as Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor are included among the referees for this global tournament.
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's Head of Refereeing and Chairman of the Referees Committee, said, "The selected referees are among the best in the world. They are part of a group monitored and chosen based on their performance over the past three years. They have participated in seminars and officiated in FIFA tournaments."
"Regarding the selection of six female referees, this continues the approach initiated four years ago in Qatar. We are committed to further developing the quality of female referees."