While enjoying a family outing at a park in Texas, Ismail Elfath received a life-altering message. “Congratulations,” the text read. Overwhelmed with pride and relief, he embraced his wife, realizing that FIFA had chosen him for his second World Cup. He shared, “Attending a World Cup is the ultimate dream for any referee, but being selected again signifies that you’ve shown stability over the past eight years.”
The World Cup is regarded as the pinnacle for referees, a prestigious event that occurs only once every four years, and only a handful of officials secure a coveted spot. Former Swiss referee Urs Meier remarked, “You must first prove yourself as the best in your country, and even then, there’s no guarantee of selection.”
While FIFA may select multiple referees from certain nations, many elite officials from other countries often miss out. For example, despite officiating the Champions League final on May 30, Germany’s Daniel Siebert was passed over for the World Cup in favor of Felix Zwayer.
In the years leading up to the World Cup, FIFA instructors keep a close eye on potential referees. Reports are generated from former referees during FIFA matches, while instructors also observe other games remotely. After watching Premier League referee Anthony Taylor during a European match, FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina urged him to refine his movement. Kathryn Nesbitt, who made history by officiating a men’s World Cup knockout match, recalled FIFA instructors scrutinizing her past decisions from Major League Soccer.
A single misstep can threaten a referee’s chance to participate in the tournament. Before the 2010 World Cup, Tom Henning Øvrebø was considered among Europe’s top referees. However, after denying Chelsea a blatant penalty in a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2009, his World Cup hopes were dashed. Likewise, José María Sánchez Martínez seemed set to represent Spain in the 2026 World Cup, but inconsistent performances led to Alejandro Hernández Hernández being selected instead.
Missing out on the World Cup can spell the end of a referee’s career. In June 2025, I joined Marco Guida, a prominent Serie A official, at the beach near his home in Naples. Struggling to recover from a hamstring injury, he discussed how the fear of missing the World Cup impacted his mental well-being: “If I’m not officiating in Italy or the Champions League, I won’t be chosen.” Ultimately, he did not make the selection, and with the next tournament approaching as he entered his late 40s, he expressed concern, recalling Øvrebø’s situation. “The pain from that experience still lingers. The margins are razor-thin.”
Elfath experienced uncertainty throughout much of the selection process. A severe knee injury during the 2024 Copa América put him on the sidelines, and he only returned to officiating a year later after undergoing two surgeries.
Before being eligible for the World Cup, he had to pass FIFA’s rigorous fitness examination. Referees must complete 40 timed 75-meter sprints, with just 18 seconds of rest in between each sprint. Additionally, World Cup candidates undergo further tests assessing agility, speed, and strength.
A representative from US Soccer traveled to Texas to oversee Elfath’s fitness assessment, accompanied by his assistant referees. If he failed the test, they would miss out on the World Cup as well, since referees and their assistants are chosen as a unit.
Elfath successfully passed the evaluation but remained under scrutiny. After matches and training sessions, he uploaded GPS tracking data from his devices to applications monitored by FIFA. “They were aware of every instance I accelerated or slowed down,” he explained. Moreover, he provided data on his recovery and sleep patterns.
In December 2025, FIFA eliminated three referees from its list of North American candidates, but Elfath continued to be considered. He received an invitation to Rio de Janeiro for a final pre-tournament seminar, which included further evaluations. A sports scientist assessed their physiological responses to simulated stress, monitoring heart rates and breathing patterns. Potential penalty scenarios were reviewed, and a physician evaluated Elfath’s knee stability. “As the World Cup approaches, the level of scrutiny we face is more intense than many realize,” he remarked.
For months, each notification on his phone heightened his anxiety. The decisive moment arrived with FIFA’s official announcement. Messages poured in from friends around the globe, leaving Elfath little time to reply. As one of Major League Soccer’s prominent referees, his rigorous schedule had taken him from the Tokyo Olympics to the 2022 World Cup, where he served as the fourth official for the final. With a rare day off, he had promised his children his undivided attention. “I told them I wouldn’t be on my phone, but there I was, glued to it,” he confessed. “They called me out!”
The pressure of being selected for the World Cup is nothing compared to the intense scrutiny during the event itself, according to Meier. Referees are not merely managing a game; they are shaping history. Meier recounted officiating the USA versus Iran match in France 1998, a historic encounter following the 1979 Iranian revolution and hostage crisis. Despite established protocol mandating Iranian players to shake hands with their US counterparts, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibited it, prompting the US team to take the initiative. “It was incredibly emotional,” Meier reflected, fighting back tears. “Those moments made all the sacrifices worthwhile.”
Just nine days later, Argentina faced England in the knockout rounds. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen remembered the charged atmosphere leading up to the match, heightened by the historical tensions stemming from the Falklands War and Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal.
This historical significance can complicate even the simplest decisions. Referees are acutely aware that their actions can define their careers. In that match, Nielsen issued a red card to David Beckham for a foul on Diego Simeone. Although it was a clear red card offense he witnessed, Nielsen admitted to hesitating. He noted, “It required every ounce of my experience. I knew I couldn’t close my eyes just because it was David Beckham in a World Cup match.” Nearly three decades later, fans still approach Nielsen asking, “Aren’t you the one who sent off Beckham?”
While not every World Cup match carries such political implications, the pressure remains immense. Elfath pointed out, “Even those who don’t usually watch football tune in for the World Cup.”
Darren Cann hung up his whistle in 2025 after officiating 579 Premier League matches. As part of Howard Webb’s officiating team, he had the honor of officiating at two World Cups: in 2014 in Brazil and 2010 in South Africa, where he took charge of the final. He stated, “It’s the culmination of four years of hard work and sacrifices,” fully aware that such a chance may never come again.
Errors can be more painful, while correct decisions result in immense joy. Cann officiated the Brazil versus Chile match in the last 16 in South Africa. The day before, mistakes by assistant referees in the England versus Germany match sparked controversy. Before the kick-off, FIFA delivered a stern message: “No more mistakes.” With Brazil leading 1-0, Kaká passed to Luís Fabiano, who rounded the goalkeeper and scored. Although Chilean defenders protested for offside, Cann kept his flag down, having determined Fabiano was marginally onside. Overcome with emotion, Cann said, “It was a beautiful moment knowing that I had made the right call.”
Even seemingly routine matches impose considerable pressure on referees, according to Slavko Vincic. “The emotional stakes are heightened because the national flag is at play.” In 2024, Vincic officiated the Champions League final, but nothing compared to his first World Cup match in 2022: Argentina, the tournament favorites, against Saudi Arabia.
As Saudi Arabia unexpectedly took the lead early in the second half, their players were relentless, celebrating every tackle and putting Vincic under pressure. The Argentinians responded fiercely, pushing Vincic to his limits. “Every player was giving 150%, so as a referee, I had to match that intensity,” Vincic reflected. Approaching the end of the match, he felt physically and mentally exhausted, struggling to maintain his composure. “In such chaotic moments, remaining calm and credible is the biggest challenge.” When a Saudi goalkeeper collided with a teammate and was knocked unconscious, Vincic missed the incident. He often wonders if the pressure contributed to that oversight.
Nesbitt shared that the atmosphere of World Cup football heightens her awareness on the field. “I can anticipate passes before they happen,” she explained. Elfath echoed her sentiment but emphasized another challenge: the need to communicate with players from diverse cultural backgrounds. “The way you interact with a Japanese player differs from a Cameroonian. Failing to adjust could lead to issues.”
In the hours leading up to a match, Elfath often feels mentally drained. His thoughts race, conjuring worst-case scenarios. Before his first game, Portugal versus Ghana, he walked the pitch while fans waved Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys, feeling his stomach tighten. “Everything seemed magnified,” he recalled. “Each steward, every logo, every moment felt larger than life. I only found my rhythm after the first whistle. It’s just 22 players – that, I know how to handle.”
After matches, the aftermath can also be challenging. Following Portugal’s victory over Ghana, Ghana’s coach Otto Addo labeled Elfath’s decision to award Ronaldo a penalty a “special gift,” igniting a wave of online debate. His family sent him screenshots of the controversy. Although VAR confirmed his decision, Elfath still felt anxious. After facing ridicule from Ghanaian fans on LinkedIn, his software company CEO inquired if he needed to take legal action. Elfath reassured him, stating that this was simply part of the life of a World Cup referee. “Small moments escalate into significant issues,” he remarked.
For many referees, the period between matches can be the toughest. Initially, the atmosphere is almost celebratory, as Meier recalled. “We’ve all shared this experience, creating a bond that only we can truly understand,” Nesbitt added.
However, as the group stage nears its conclusion, the dynamic shifts. Referees begin to compete for appointments in the knockout rounds, with the top performers during training sessions and matches being selected, while others head home. “If you’re not giving your all, it gets noticed,” Nesbitt warned.
“The end of the group stage is the hardest part,” Elfath stated. “A single poor performance can ruin everything.”
Even correct calls can lead to elimination. In Qatar 2022, during Uruguay’s final group match against Ghana, Siebert denied a late penalty appeal from Edinson Cavani, which could have allowed Uruguay to advance. FIFA supported Siebert’s decision but still sent him home to avoid prolonging the controversy.
After his second match in Qatar, Vincic received an email from FIFA outlining his return flights. He speculated whether the turmoil of Argentina versus Saudi Arabia influenced the decision. “You never know, but fixating on these matters can be detrimental to your mental health,” he admitted.
Referees experience “three tournaments within a tournament,” according to Elfath. The second phase begins after the group stage, covering the last 16 and quarter-finals. By this time, the hotel corridors feel quieter, and dinners become more subdued. Isolated from their families and confined to the team hotel, some referees begin to feel lonely.
Referees arrive weeks ahead of their first game to acclimatize, Nesbitt explained, and the only place to unwind is in their rooms. “Every time you step outside your room, you must maintain your composure,” she said. Cann recounted the heartbreak of witnessing referees he had grown close to being sent home: “It’s devastating,” he remarked.
There’s plenty of time to dwell on contentious decisions, Elfath noted, just as he did with the Ronaldo penalty. To perform at their best, World Cup referees must manage their emotions both on and off the field, avoiding excessive highs after victories and preventing plunges into despair after mistakes.
In his next match, Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar celebrated a goal against Brazil by removing his shirt. Elfath approached him with a smile, congratulated him, showed him a second yellow card, and subsequently a red card. His handling of the situation earned praise from fans and analysts alike. Later, hotel staff stopped him in the hallway, grinning, to inform him that he had gone viral. “I became the most popular referee in the world,” he joked.
Between matches, referees prepare with great diligence, but the intensity can be overwhelming if they don’t find ways to relax. “If you only focus on football, it can drive you insane,” Elfath cautioned.
At France 1998, when referees were prohibited from entering Paris, Meier sneaked out for a stroll. “Some referees manage to cope, while others develop significant mental health challenges during this time,” he said. However, Cann reminisced that the English team found joy in watching Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and playing James Bond Top Trumps.
Elfath describes the later stages as the “dream” phase: the semi-finals and finals. “Whatever happens next will be the pinnacle of my career,” he stated. Not all referees will get another match; some serve as fourth officials, while others wait in reserve. FIFA intentionally avoids assigning referees to matches involving their own countries to maintain impartiality.
The referees appointed for the final are generally announced in front of their peers, creating a tense atmosphere as everyone hopes to hear their names. Those who don’t are expected to applaud, but it can also be a crushing blow.
Every referee secretly aspires to officiate the final. When Taylor reached the dream phase in Qatar, he envisioned it. After England’s defeat to France, the path appeared clearer. Anticipation built when he wasn’t assigned to a semi-final. However, when Argentina reached the final, Collina informed him that he could not officiate due to England’s historical context with the Falklands War. His dream ended there.
“There are countless political factors at play,” Meier sighed. He empathized with Taylor’s disappointment, recalling his own experience at France 1998. After a strong performance, he believed he was destined for the final, only to see it awarded to a Moroccan referee. “I was furious because I didn’t understand why,” he admitted.
Cann emphasized that learning to avoid dwelling on potential appointments is one of the most challenging yet crucial skills. He refrained from checking upcoming matches to prevent any thoughts about team eligibility. It was only after the 2010 final that he traced the paths of his officiating career, reflecting on the Fabiano decision. “Had I made an incorrect call, we would have been on the next flight home,” he noted.
On July 10, 2010, Cann stepped onto the field at Soccer City in Johannesburg. The World Cup trophy glimmered on a pedestal, illuminated by the lights. “For a brief moment, I allowed myself to be distracted by the camera flashes reflecting off the most dazzling piece of gold I’ve ever seen,” he recalled. It was an unforgettable moment he longs for. “The 2010 World Cup was the most incredible six weeks of my life.”
However, reaching the final does not signify the end of the journey. For those who make it to the tournament’s conclusion, a fourth phase awaits. Nielsen expressed that his fondest memories were not tied to the matches themselves but to the days following the 2002 World Cup semi-final in South Korea, when he realized he had no more games to officiate. “We spent every evening with Mr. Johnnie Walker,” he reminisced.
In 2023, Nesbitt officiated the Women’s World Cup final and later described the overwhelming relief: “You feel as though you’re walking around with a massive grin, but you’re utterly drained.” 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 released by Viking on August 27, priced at £22.
