A list of referees for the newly structured Club World Cup has been officially released, but surprisingly, no referees from Spain or Italy have made the cut for the tournament.
The revamped competition, which now includes 32 clubs, is set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13. This new format is expected to bring an exciting change to the tournament, with more teams and a broader global appeal.
FIFA announced the list of match officials on Monday, detailing the 35 referees who will officiate the matches. Out of these 35 referees, 11 are selected from European countries, showcasing a diverse yet specific selection of officials from across the continent.
In addition to the referees, the match officials’ team also includes 58 assistant referees, who will be supporting the referees during the matches, and 24 video assistant referees (VAR), who will provide additional support in ensuring fair play with video technology during key moments of the game.
This selection of referees, assistants, and VAR officials highlights the importance of having experienced match officials at the highest level, ensuring the competition runs smoothly and fairly.