Two Premier League Referees Selected for 2026 FIFA World Cup

England and the Premier League will have six on-field representatives in total for the record-high 48-team, 104-game tournament.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:05pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-angled view of a football referee in action, with sharp planes of color and form representing the complex decision-making and perspective of an official on the pitch.The selection of top English referees for the 2026 World Cup reflects the global recognition of Premier League officiating.Today in Miami

FIFA has announced the officiating team for the 2026 World Cup, which will include two Premier League referees, Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, as well as four Premier League assistant referees. In total, 52 on-field referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video assistant referees will be used for the record-high 48-team, 104-game tournament.

Why it matters

The selection of Premier League officials for the 2026 World Cup highlights the high caliber of refereeing talent in England's top flight, and the continued importance of English officials on the global stage. The expanded World Cup format will also put a greater emphasis on the use of technology to support match officials in their decision-making.

The details

Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have been selected as the English on-field referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In addition, Gary Beswick, Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring and Adam Nunn will serve as Premier League assistant referees. There will be only one Premier League representative in the VAR booth, in the form of Australian official Jarred Gillett.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place this summer.
  • Oliver and Taylor previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The players

Michael Oliver

An English football referee who officiates in the Premier League.

Anthony Taylor

An English football referee who officiates in the Premier League.

Gary Beswick

An English football assistant referee who works in the Premier League.

Stuart Burt

An English football assistant referee who works in the Premier League.

James Mainwaring

An English football assistant referee who works in the Premier League.

Adam Nunn

An English football assistant referee who works in the Premier League.

Jarred Gillett

An Australian football official who will serve as a video assistant referee (VAR) for the 2026 World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“The selected match officials are the very best in the world. They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years. They have attended seminars and officiated at FIFA tournaments. In addition, their performances in domestic and international matches were regularly assessed.”

— Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's chief refereeing officer and 2022 World Cup final referee

“The selected officials have received, and will continue to receive, comprehensive support from our fitness coaches and medical staff, including physiotherapists and a mental specialist.”

— Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's chief refereeing officer and 2022 World Cup final referee

“As at previous World Cups, technology will play an important role in supporting match officials in their decision-making. Goal-line technology, an advanced version of semi-automated offside technology and connected ball technology will be used, while for the first time in World Cup history, fans will be able to see things from the referee's on-field perspective thanks to the use of new technologies.”

— Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's chief refereeing officer and 2022 World Cup final referee

What’s next

All officials will attend a 10-day preparation seminar in Miami ahead of the tournament.

The takeaway

The selection of Premier League referees and assistant referees for the 2026 World Cup underscores the high quality of officiating in England's top flight, and the continued importance of English officials on the global stage. The expanded World Cup format will also see an increased reliance on technology to support match officials in their decision-making.