Ismail Elfath was relishing a day at a Texas park with his kids when he received an unexpected notification. “Congratulations,” it stated. Filled with joy, he embraced his wife tightly. He had been selected by FIFA for his second World Cup, a moment that brought him immense pride and relief. “Being part of a World Cup is the pinnacle for any referee, and being chosen a second time signifies that you have consistently performed at a high level for over eight years,” he shared.
For referees, officiating at the World Cup signifies the peak of their professional journey. This illustrious event takes place every four years, with only a handful of referees earning the opportunity to be involved. “You need to excel in your home nation first, and even then, it’s no guarantee you’ll be picked,” remarked former Swiss referee Urs Meier.
FIFA might select two referees from certain nations, yet many top officials miss out. A case in point is Daniel Siebert from Germany, who officiated the Champions League final on May 30—considered the most crucial match in European club football—yet was passed over for the World Cup in favor of fellow countryman Felix Zwayer.
In the years leading up to the World Cup, FIFA’s instructors compile a roster of potential referees, closely scrutinizing their performances. Former referees provide feedback during FIFA matches, while instructors observe other games from afar. After witnessing Anthony Taylor’s performance in a European fixture, Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s refereeing chief, contacted him with suggestions to improve his on-field movement. Kathryn Nesbitt, the first woman to officiate a knockout match in a men’s World Cup, recounted how FIFA officials sought feedback on calls she made months earlier in Major League Soccer.
A single mistake can jeopardize a referee’s chance to officiate at the World Cup. Before the 2010 tournament, Tom Henning Øvrebø was seen as one of Europe’s top referees. However, after he failed to award Chelsea a blatant penalty in their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2009, he lost his opportunity to officiate at the World Cup. Likewise, José María Sánchez Martínez appeared to be a contender for Spain at the 2026 tournament, but his inconsistent performances led to Alejandro Hernández Hernández being selected instead.
Missing out on a World Cup can have long-lasting consequences. In June 2025, I encountered Marco Guida, a respected Serie A referee, on the beach in Naples as he was recovering from a hamstring injury. He confided in me that the anxiety of potentially not being chosen for the World Cup had taken a toll on his mental health: “With no matches in Italy or the Champions League, my chances of selection diminish.” Ultimately, FIFA excluded him, and by the next World Cup, he would be nearly in his late 40s, a reality he feared was too advanced for a referee. “Øvrebø’s experience still lingers in my mind. The margins are razor-thin,” he confessed.
Elfath spent a considerable amount of the selection cycle uncertain about receiving that coveted message. During the 2024 Copa América, he sustained a serious knee injury and returned to officiating only a year later after undergoing two surgeries.
Before contemplating the World Cup, he had to clear FIFA’s stringent fitness evaluation. International referees must complete 40 timed sprints of 75 meters, with only 18 seconds allowed for recovery. Additionally, World Cup candidates face further agility, speed, and strength assessments.
A representative from U.S. Soccer flew to Texas to oversee the fitness evaluation, accompanied by Elfath’s assistant referees. Should he fail, they would miss out on the World Cup as well, since referees and their assistants are chosen as a unit.
Fortunately, he passed the test, but the pressure persisted. After every match and training session, he uploaded GPS data from his training devices to FIFA-monitored applications. “They tracked my every movement—every acceleration and deceleration,” he explained. He also reported on his sleep and recovery patterns.
In December 2025, FIFA narrowed down its list of North American referees, eliminating three names. Elfath remained on the list and received an invitation to Rio de Janeiro for the final pre-tournament seminar, where candidates underwent additional assessments. A sports scientist evaluated their physiological responses under simulated stress, monitoring heart rates and breathing patterns. They reviewed video clips of potential penalty situations, and a doctor assessed Elfath’s knee. “As the World Cup draws near, the scrutiny becomes more intense than most can imagine,” he remarked.
For months, every notification on his phone filled him with anxiety. Finally, the moment he had been waiting for arrived. Messages poured in from friends worldwide. Elfath barely had time to respond. As one of Major League Soccer’s top referees, his demanding schedule had seen him transition from the Tokyo Olympics to the 2022 World Cup, where he served as the fourth official during the final match. With a rare day off, he had promised his children his full attention. “I told them I wouldn’t be on my phone, yet there I was checking it,” Elfath recalled. “They called me out on it!”
The Pressure of Officiating at the World Cup
The anxiety surrounding World Cup selection is minuscule compared to the immense pressure of officiating at the event, according to Meier. Referees are not just overseeing a game; they are managing pivotal moments in history. During the 1998 World Cup, Meier officiated the match between the USA and Iran, marking the first encounter between the two nations since the Iranian revolution and subsequent hostage crisis in 1979. Protocol dictated that Iranian players were to shake hands with the U.S. team, but this was prohibited by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting the U.S. team to approach the Iranian players instead. Prior to kick-off, the two teams posed for a photograph together. “It was deeply emotional,” Meier reminisced, “I had tears in my eyes.” This moment remains a highlight of his career. “Refereeing was worthwhile just for those fleeting moments.”
Nine days later, Argentina faced England in the round of 16. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen recalls the palpable tension leading up to the match, exacerbated by the lingering memories of the Falklands war and controversial incidents like Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal.
This level of historical significance complicates even the simplest decisions. Referees are acutely aware that their choices can define their careers. In that match, Nielsen issued a red card to David Beckham for a foul on Diego Simeone. While it was a clear infraction, Nielsen admitted he hesitated. “I knew I couldn’t overlook it just because it was Beckham in a World Cup match,” he reflected on the challenges he faced in that moment. Nearly thirty years later, people still approach Nielsen with the same question: “You’re the referee who sent off Beckham?”
Although not every World Cup match carries such considerable political implications, the pressure remains unyielding. As Elfath articulated, “Even those who typically don’t follow football tune in to the World Cup.”
Darren Cann retired in 2025 after officiating 579 Premier League matches. As a member of Howard Webb’s officiating team, he participated in two World Cups: the 2014 tournament in Brazil and the 2010 event in South Africa, where he was selected for the final. “It represents the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication,” Cann stated, noting the possibility of never experiencing it again.
Incorrect calls become more agonizing, while correct decisions produce immense joy. During South Africa, Cann officiated the match between Brazil and Chile in the round of 16. The day prior, Jorge Larrionda’s assistant failed to recognize that Frank Lampard’s shot had crossed the line in England’s loss to Germany, and Roberto Rosetti’s assistant allowed a clearly offside Carlos Tévez goal. Just before kick-off, FIFA officials delivered a stern warning: “No more mistakes will be tolerated.” As Brazil led 1-0, Kaká played a pass to Luís Fabiano, who rounded the goalkeeper and scored. Despite Chile’s defenders appealing for offside, Cann kept his flag down, recognizing that Fabiano was just onside. He was moved to tears. “It was one of those incredible moments where I knew I had made the right call,” he expressed.
Even seemingly routine matches place referees under immense pressure, according to Slavko Vincic. “The emotions run high because national pride is at stake.” In 2024, the Slovenian officiated the Champions League final, yet nothing compared to his first World Cup match in 2022: Argentina, the tournament favorites, facing Saudi Arabia.
Realizing they could create a historic upset after taking an early lead in the second half, the Saudi players surged with energy, celebrating every tackle and relentlessly pressuring Vincic. The Argentine team heightened their efforts as well, pushing Vincic to his limits. “All players were giving 150%, so as a referee, I had to be at 150% as well,” he explained. As the match neared its conclusion, Vincic felt exhausted, both physically and mentally, struggling to maintain his composure. “When everything around you becomes chaotic, the challenge is to remain calm and credible,” he noted.
Nesbitt believes the intensity of World Cup football sharpens her focus on the pitch. “You can anticipate the pass before it happens,” she observed. Elfath concurs but highlighted another challenge: connecting with players from diverse backgrounds. “The way you communicate with a Japanese player differs from engaging with a Cameroonian, and if you fail to adapt, you will encounter issues,” he explained.
The hours leading up to a match are particularly mentally taxing for him. His mind races with thoughts of potential catastrophic errors. Prior to his inaugural game, Portugal against Ghana, he walked the pitch, observing fans brandishing Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys. He felt his stomach tighten. “Everything felt magnified in that moment,” he recalled. “Every steward, every logo, every small detail…it was as if time slowed down and expanded around me.” He only felt at ease once he blew the whistle to start the match. “It’s just 22 players out there—and that, I know how to manage,” he added.
The aftermath of matches can be equally draining. Following Portugal’s win over Ghana, Ghana’s coach Otto Addo criticized Elfath’s decision to award a penalty to Ronaldo, dubbing it a “special gift,” which sparked a debate online. Family members sent Elfath screenshots of the controversy. Despite the video assistant referee confirming the decision, he felt anxious. After receiving negative feedback from Ghanaian fans on LinkedIn, his CEO at a software firm suggested he might consider legal action. Elfath reassured him that this was simply part of being a World Cup referee. “Small incidents can escalate into major issues,” he stated.
For most referees, the intervals between matches pose the greatest challenges. Initially, the atmosphere is “almost festive,” Meier reflected. “We’ve all shared this journey together, forming a bond that only we can understand,” Nesbitt added.
However, this camaraderie shifts as the group stage concludes. Referees begin to compete against one another, with higher-performing officials in training and during matches receiving assignments for the knockout rounds, while others face elimination. “If you aren’t giving your all, it gets noticed,” Nesbitt cautioned.
“The end of the group stage is the most challenging part,” Elfath noted. “A single poor performance can end your World Cup experience.”
Even a correct call can lead to elimination. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Siebert denied a last-minute penalty request from Edinson Cavani in Uruguay’s final group match against Ghana, a decision that likely would have secured Uruguay’s advancement. While FIFA supported Siebert’s ruling, they opted to send him home to avoid prolonging the controversy.
After his second match in Qatar, Vincic received an email from FIFA detailing his return flights. He speculated whether the chaos during Argentina’s match against Saudi Arabia impacted the decision. “You can never be sure, but if you dwell on these possibilities, you’ll drive yourself crazy,” he remarked.
According to Elfath, referees face “three tournaments within the tournament.” The second phase begins after the group stage, encompassing the last 16 and quarter-finals. By that time, hotel hallways grow quieter, and dinner becomes more subdued. Isolated from their families in a locked-down team hotel, some referees begin to feel lonely.
Referees arrive weeks before the first match to acclimatize, as Nesbitt explained, and their only chance to relax is in their rooms. “Whenever you step outside, you must remain focused,” she stated. Cann recalled the heartache of watching referees he had bonded with being sent home. “It’s devastating,” he admitted.
There’s plenty of time to reflect on contentious calls, Elfath noted, just as he did with the Ronaldo penalty. To perform effectively, World Cup referees must manage their emotions both on and off the field, which means not allowing themselves to become overly elated by successes or too disheartened by failures.
In his next match, Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar celebrated a winning goal against Brazil by removing his shirt. Elfath approached him with a smile, shook his hand, and issued a second yellow card, followed by a red card. Fans and analysts praised Elfath for his handling of the situation. Later, hotel staff congratulated him in the hallway, informing him that he had gone viral. “I became the world’s most popular referee,” he chuckled.
In between matches, referees engage in meticulous preparation. Yet, if they don’t find ways to disconnect, the pressure can become overwhelming. “If you only focus on football, it will drive you insane,” Elfath warned.
During the 1998 World Cup, when referees were barred from entering Paris, Meier sneaked out to explore the city. “Some referees handle it well, while others grapple with significant mental challenges during this time,” he observed. However, the English team, as Cann described, found relief in watching Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and playing James Bond Top Trumps to unwind.
Elfath describes the later stages of the tournament—the semi-finals and final—as the “dream” phase: “Whatever comes next will define your career.” Not every referee will have the chance to officiate another match; some will serve as fourth officials, while others remain on standby. FIFA avoids assigning referees to matches involving their home countries, ensuring they have multiple options for the final.
The chosen referees are typically announced in front of their peers, creating a nerve-wracking moment as each hopes to hear their name. Those who do not make the cut will applaud, but it can also feel crushing.
Every referee secretly aspires to officiate the final match. When Taylor reached this coveted stage in Qatar, he envisioned it. After England’s defeat to France, the path seemed clear. Anticipation grew when he wasn’t selected for a semi-final. However, when Argentina advanced to the final, Collina informed him that he could not officiate due to England’s historical context with the Falklands conflict. His dream ended there.
“There are numerous political factors at play,” Meier commented, letting out a sigh. He sympathized with Taylor’s disappointment. During the 1998 World Cup, he had believed the final would be his. He had performed commendably, yet the assignment went to a Moroccan referee instead, leaving him frustrated and confused.
Learning to avoid fixating on potential appointments is one of the most challenging yet essential skills to develop, according to Cann. He refrained from scrutinizing upcoming matches, allowing him to focus on his own performance. It was only after the 2010 final that he reflected on their journey. He considered the Fabiano decision: “Had I made the wrong call, we would have been on the next flight home,” he acknowledged.
On July 10, 2010, Cann stepped onto the pitch at Soccer City in Johannesburg, where the World Cup trophy gleamed on a pedestal, shimmering under the stadium lights. “I allowed myself a brief moment of distraction, captivated by the camera flashes reflecting off the most dazzling piece of gold I’ve ever seen,” he reminisced. That moment remains etched in his memory. “The 2010 World Cup was the most incredible six weeks of my life.”
However, even reaching the final does not signify the conclusion of the journey. For those who make it to the tournament’s end, there exists a fourth phase. Nielsen shared that his fondest memories were not of the matches themselves but of the days following the 2002 World Cup semi-final in South Korea, relishing the absence of further assignments. “We spent every evening with Mr. Johnnie Walker,” he recalled.
In 2023, Nesbitt officiated the Women’s World Cup final. After the match, she felt immense relief: “It feels like you’re wandering around with a huge smile, but you’re completely drained.” And as that exhaustion fades, the cycle of World Cup selection begins anew.
William Ralston’sThe Impossible Job: The Truly Unbelievable World of Football Refereeswill be published by Viking on August 27, priced at £22.
