Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has announced the referee squad that will officiate in the tournament. The list, comprising a total of 170 referees, represents 42 different countries. It is reported that names from various countries, from Gabon to Mauritania, and El Salvador to Uzbekistan, have drawn attention.
Redaksiya reports that FIFA's statement noted that the selected referees will participate in match officiating, assistant referee duties, and VAR roles throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The list includes representatives from the American continent such as El Salvador, Honduras, and Jamaica, alongside Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Jordan. Additionally, names from African, Asian, and Oceanian countries such as Gabon, Mauritania, China, and New Zealand are also featured on the list.
From the perspective of Turkish football, the absence of any Turkish referee on the list has been evaluated as a significant shortcoming. It is reported that Turkey, which has stood out in recent years with names like Cüneyt Çakır officiating at final and semi-final levels in international tournaments, not being represented on the list this time has been interpreted as a surprise and a disappointment. Experts state that this situation has brought back to the agenda discussions related to local referee management, as well as the perception of influence in the international arena.