The FIFA Referees Committee has updated the official list of match officials ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the organization's press service, 33-year-old French referee Willy Delajod has been added to the list of video match officials.
Following this update, a total of 52 head referees, 88 assistant referees, and 31 video assistant referees (VAR) representing 50 member associations are expected to officiate the matches of the 2026 World Cup. The selected officials are scheduled to travel to Miami, USA, at the end of May for an intensive training camp to prepare for the tournament's requirements.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic event, marking the first time the tournament features 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the competition is set to take place from June 11 to July 19. Under the leadership of US President Donald Trump, the United States is preparing to host the majority of the matches, including the final, across several major cities. This expansion aims to increase global representation and provide more nations with the opportunity to compete on football's grandest stage.
