Ismail Elfath was spending a day at the park with his kids in Texas when an unexpected notification arrived. “Congratulations,” it stated. Overcome with emotion, he embraced his wife, realizing that FIFA had selected him for his second World Cup. A surge of relief and pride enveloped him as he reflected, “Every official dreams of working at a World Cup, but being chosen again signifies sustained excellence over the years.”
For referees, the World Cup stands as the pinnacle of achievement. This esteemed tournament takes place only once every four years, and just a select few get the opportunity to participate. Former Swiss referee Urs Meier remarked, “You must first excel in your home country, but even that doesn’t guarantee selection.”
FIFA may opt for two referees from a limited number of nations, while others may see top officials left out entirely. For example, UEFA chose Germany’s Daniel Siebert to officiate the Champions League final on May 30, regarded as the summit of club football, yet FIFA selected Felix Zwayer from Germany for the World Cup instead.
In the years leading up to the World Cup, FIFA officials compile a list of potential referees and closely monitor their performances. Former referees submit evaluations from the stands during FIFA matches, while additional games are reviewed remotely by instructors. After watching Premier League referee Anthony Taylor during a European match, Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head of refereeing, contacted Taylor to encourage him to refine his movement. Kathryn Nesbitt, who broke barriers as the first woman to officiate a men’s World Cup knockout match, recalled FIFA officials probing her about decisions made months earlier in Major League Soccer.
A single error can end a referee’s hopes of officiating at the World Cup. Before the 2010 tournament, Tom Henning Øvrebø was among Europe’s top referees, but after he denied Chelsea a clear penalty during their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2009, his World Cup ambitions evaporated. José María Sánchez Martínez seemed set to represent Spain at the 2026 World Cup, but inconsistent performances led to Alejandro Hernández Hernández being chosen instead.
Missing the World Cup can spell disaster for an official’s career. In June 2025, I encountered Marco Guida, a prominent Serie A referee, on a beach in Naples. He was struggling to recover from a hamstring injury and shared how the possibility of missing the World Cup weighed on his mental health: “If I’m not officiating in Italy or the Champions League, I won’t be selected.” FIFA had ruled him out. By the next tournament, he might be nearing his 40s, a troubling thought. “That was Øvrebø’s fate. The pain remains fresh. The margins are razor-thin.”
During much of the selection process, Elfath found himself questioning whether he would ever receive that coveted notification. During the 2024 Copa América, he sustained a serious knee injury. After undergoing two surgeries, he returned to officiating a year later.
Before he could even think of the World Cup, he had to clear FIFA’s fitness evaluation. International referees are expected to complete 40 timed 75-meter sprints with just 18 seconds of recovery in between. World Cup candidates also undergo additional agility, speed, and strength assessments.
A certified representative from US Soccer journeyed to Texas to supervise the fitness test, along with Elfath’s assistant referees. If Elfath failed, they would also miss out on the World Cup. Referees and their domestic assistants are selected as a unit.
He successfully passed the test but needed to showcase his skills once more. After matches and training sessions, he uploaded GPS data from his devices to apps monitored by FIFA. “They tracked every acceleration and deceleration,” he explained. He also shared details about his sleep and recovery.
In December 2025, FIFA eliminated three referees from its consideration list for North America. Elfath felt a wave of relief upon being invited to Rio de Janeiro for the final selection seminar, where candidates faced further evaluations. A sports scientist assessed their physical reactions under simulated stress, monitoring heart rates and breathing patterns. A doctor examined the stability of Elfath’s knee. “As the World Cup draws near, we are scrutinized more closely than most realize,” he commented.
For months, every notification on his phone became a source of tension. At last, that morning, FIFA’s announcement arrived. Text messages flooded in from friends worldwide. Elfath barely had time to respond. As one of Major League Soccer’s top referees, his hectic schedule had taken him from the Tokyo Olympics to the 2022 World Cup, where he served as the fourth official during the final. Now, with a rare day off, he had promised his children his full attention. “I told them I wouldn’t be on my phone, and there I was, glued to it,” Elfath admitted. “They called me out!”
The Burden of World Cup Pressure
The anxiety surrounding World Cup selection is nothing compared to the pressure faced during the tournament itself, according to Meier. Referees oversee more than just a game; they oversee history. At France 1998, Meier officiated the match between the USA and Iran, the first encounter since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis. Protocol dictated that Iranian players should approach the US team for a handshake, but Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, forbade it, which led the US team to initiate the handshake instead. Before kick-off, the teams posed for a photo together. “It was an emotional moment,” Meier recalled. “I had tears in my eyes.” It remains the highlight of his career. “Refereeing was worth it for those few moments alone.”
Just nine days later, Argentina faced England in the Round of 16. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen remembers the palpable tension leading up to the match, fueled by memories of the Falklands War and contentious incidents like Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal.
This historical backdrop can complicate even the simplest decisions. Referees realize their choices will define their legacies. In that match, Nielsen issued a red card to David Beckham for kicking Diego Simeone. While it was a clear foul that he witnessed, Nielsen admitted he hesitated. He described it as a moment requiring all of his experience: “I knew I couldn’t ignore it just because it was David Beckham in a World Cup match.” Nearly thirty years later, people still approach Nielsen with the same question: “You’re the one who sent off Beckham?”
While not every World Cup match carries such political weight, the pressure remains omnipresent. As Elfath puts it, “Even those who don’t typically watch football tune in for the World Cup.”
Darren Cann retired in 2025 after assisting in 579 Premier League matches. As part of Howard Webb’s officiating team, he participated in two World Cups: 2010 in South Africa and 2014 in Brazil, where he officiated the final. “It’s the culmination of four years of dedication and sacrifice,” he remarked, knowing that such an experience may never come again.
Incorrect decisions become harder to bear, while correct calls bring intense elation. During the knockout stage in South Africa, Cann officiated the match between Brazil and Chile. The day before, a fellow official failed to recognize that Frank Lampard’s goal had clearly crossed the line in England’s defeat to Germany, and another assistant allowed a blatant offside goal by Carlos Tévez. Before the match began, FIFA leaders delivered a stern warning: “No more mistakes allowed.” When Brazil led 1-0, Kaká set up Luís Fabiano, who rounded the goalkeeper to score. As the Chilean defenders appealed for offside, Cann kept his flag down, confirming that Fabiano was marginally onside. Cann felt tears welling up. “It was a moment of pure joy knowing I made the right call,” he recalled.
The Demands of World Cup Officiating
Even seemingly routine matches expose referees to immense tension, as Slavko Vincic explained. “The emotion runs high due to national pride behind every match.” In 2024, the Slovenian officiated the Champions League final, but nothing compared to his first World Cup match in 2022: Argentina, the tournament favorites, against Saudi Arabia.
As the Saudis pulled off a stunning upset by taking an early lead in the second half, they played with fervor, celebrating every tackle and putting Vincic under immense pressure. The Argentinians ramped up their efforts, pushing Vincic to his limits. “All the players were giving 150%, so I needed to match that intensity,” Vincic recalled. As the match neared its conclusion, exhaustion set in, and he struggled to maintain his composure: “When chaos surrounds you, remaining calm and credible becomes the greatest challenge.” Vincic missed a collision between the Saudi goalkeeper and a teammate, sometimes questioning if the mental strain contributed to the oversight.
In Nesbitt’s experience, the heightened intensity of World Cup football sharpens her awareness on the pitch. “I can anticipate plays before they unfold.” Elfath agrees but emphasizes another challenge: managing players from diverse cultural backgrounds. “The way you communicate with a Japanese player differs significantly from how you address a Cameroonian, and if you fail to adapt, complications will arise.”
The hours leading up to a match are particularly challenging for him. His mind races with thoughts of potential catastrophic errors. Before his first game, Portugal versus Ghana, he walked the pitch, noticing fans waving Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys. His stomach knotted with anxiety. “Everything felt magnified in that moment,” he shared. “Every steward, every logo, every single instance felt as if time was moving slower and larger.” He only felt at ease after blowing the first whistle. “It’s still just 22 players, and that I can handle.”
The aftermath of matches can also prove difficult. Following Portugal’s victory over Ghana, the Ghanaian coach Otto Addo described Elfath’s decision to award Ronaldo a penalty as a “special gift,” igniting a social media frenzy. Family members sent him screenshots of the ensuing debate. Despite the video assistant referee confirming his call, Elfath felt anxious. After facing trolling from Ghanaian fans on LinkedIn, his boss at a software company inquired whether he needed to pursue legal action. Elfath reassured him that it was just part of the territory of being a World Cup referee. “Small moments can escalate into significant events,” he noted.
The Mental Strain of Refereeing
For many referees, the intervals between matches can be the most challenging. Initially, the atmosphere is described as “almost celebratory,” according to Meier. “We’ve shared this journey, creating a bond that only we understand,” Nesbitt added.
However, as the group stage draws to a close, the dynamic shifts. Referees find themselves in competition with one another, with the top performers during training and match days securing spots in the knockout rounds, while others face elimination. “If you’re not giving it your all, it will be noticed,” Nesbitt remarked.
“The end of the group stage is the most difficult time,” Elfath stated. “You can see your World Cup dreams dashed by a single poor performance.”
Even accurate calls can lead to early exits. During Qatar 2022, in Uruguay’s final group match against Ghana, Siebert dismissed a late penalty appeal from Edinson Cavani, a call that could have sent Uruguay through to the next round. Although FIFA backed Siebert’s decision, he was nonetheless sent home to prevent prolonging the controversy.
After his second match in Qatar, Vincic received a message from FIFA with his return flight details. He questioned whether the chaos of the Argentina versus Saudi Arabia match influenced his dismissal. “You can never be certain, but dwelling on it will only harm you,” he reflected.
According to Elfath, referees experience “three tournaments within the tournament.” The second phase begins after the group stage, encompassing the last 16 and the quarter-finals. By this point, hotel hallways grow quieter, and dinner becomes a more subdued affair. Isolated within the confines of the team hotel and away from family, some referees begin to feel disconnected.
Referees arrive weeks ahead of their first match to acclimatize, as Nesbitt explained, and the only place to unwind is within their rooms. “Anytime you step outside, you must be on guard,” she noted. Cann recounted the heartbreak of watching fellow referees he had grown close to being sent home. “It’s devastating,” he shared.
There is ample time to dwell on contentious calls, Elfath stated, just as he did regarding the penalty awarded to Ronaldo. To excel, World Cup referees must manage their emotions effectively both on and off the field, refraining from becoming overly elated by success or sinking into despair after setbacks.
In his next match, Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar celebrated a winning goal against Brazil by tearing off his shirt. Elfath approached him with a smile, shook his hand, and then issued a second yellow card, followed by a red. Fans and analysts praised Elfath’s handling of the situation. Later, hotel staff congratulated him, mentioning that he had gone viral. “I became the most popular referee in the world,” he joked.
Between matches, referees engage in meticulous preparation. Yet, if they do not find ways to switch off, the pressure can become overwhelming. “Only thinking about football will drive you insane,” Elfath cautioned.
During France 1998, when referees were prohibited from entering Paris, Meier sneaked out for a stroll through the streets. “Some referees manage to cope, while others struggle mentally during this period,” he noted. However, the English team found their own way to unwind, as Cann recalled. They watched Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and played James Bond Top Trumps.
Elfath refers to the latter stages of the tournament as the “dream” phase: the semi-finals and final. “Whatever comes next will be the highlight of your career.” Not every referee will have the opportunity to officiate a match. Some serve as the fourth official, while others remain on standby. FIFA avoids assigning referees to matches involving their own countries to maintain impartiality.
Typically, the selected referees are announced before their fellow officials. It is a nerve-wracking experience, with everyone hoping to hear their name. Those who don’t will applaud, but the disappointment can be crushing.
Each referee secretly aspires to officiate the final. When Taylor reached the dream phase in Qatar, he envisioned it. However, after England’s loss to France, the path seemed clear until Argentina qualified for the final. Collina informed him that he could not officiate due to England’s historical context with the Falklands War. Taylor’s dream ended there.
“There are countless political factors at play,” Meier said with a sigh. He empathized with Taylor’s disappointment, recalling his own experience at France 1998 when he believed the final was his for the taking. Despite performing well, the final was awarded to a Moroccan referee. “I was frustrated as I had no explanation for it,” he lamented.
Learning to avoid speculation about potential assignments is one of the most challenging yet crucial skills to develop, Cann emphasized. He never examined upcoming matches, thus avoiding the temptation to measure his team against the competition. Only after the 2010 final did he trace their journey, reflecting on the Fabiano decision: “Had I made the wrong call, we might have been on the next flight home.”
On July 10, 2010, Cann stepped onto the pitch at Soccer City in Johannesburg, with the World Cup trophy gleaming under the lights on a pedestal. “I allowed myself a brief moment of distraction, captivated by the camera flashes reflecting off the shiniest piece of gold I had ever seen,” he reminisced. It’s the kind of moment he longs to relive. “The 2010 World Cup was the most incredible six weeks of my life.”
However, reaching the tournament’s final stage does not signify the end of the experience. For those who make it to the tournament’s conclusion, there is a fourth phase. Nielsen expressed that his fondest memories were not from the matches themselves but from the days following the 2002 World Cup semi-final in South Korea, knowing he had no further officiating duties. “We spent every evening enjoying the company of Mr. Johnnie Walker,” he chuckled.
In 2023, Nesbitt officiated the Women’s World Cup final. Afterward, she noted the overwhelming relief: “You feel as though you’re walking around with the biggest smile on your face, yet you’re utterly exhausted.” As that exhaustion dissipates, the cycle of selection for the World Cup begins anew.
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