Miami to Host World Cup Referees' Camp on May 31

T.E (Elbotola)

21 April 2026at13:15

FIFA has announced the start date and location for the World Cup referees' camp, weeks after publishing the official list for the tournament. The selection included 52 main referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 VAR officials.

The international federation has decided that the referees' camp will commence on May 31 in Miami, Florida, located in the eastern United States.

Earlier, FIFA had sent electronic communications to the selected referees, urging them to refrain from officiating any friendly matches involving teams participating in the finals during the upcoming period. This measure aims to prevent any potential conflicts of interest and to ensure the impartiality of the refereeing committee's selections.

The World Cup referees' list notably includes a significant Moroccan presence: Jalal Jayed as a main referee, Zakaria Brinsi and Mostafa Akarkad as assistant referees, and Hamza El-Fariq as a VAR official.

Q&A

When will the World Cup referees' camp begin?

The World Cup referees' camp is scheduled to commence on May 31 in Miami, Florida. This gathering follows FIFA's announcement of the official list, which includes 52 main referees and numerous assistant and VAR officials.

Why did FIFA issue a specific directive to World Cup referees?

FIFA issued a directive urging selected World Cup referees to avoid officiating friendly matches involving participating teams. This measure aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest and ensure the impartiality of the refereeing committee's selections ahead of the tournament.

Who are some of the notable officials selected for the World Cup referee list?

The World Cup referee list includes a significant Moroccan presence among the selected officials. This contingent features a main referee, assistant referees, and a VAR official, highlighting the international diversity of the refereeing committee for the upcoming tournament.

Morocco

FIFA World Cup