⚽ A Major Tournament… But Limited Refereeing Opportunities
The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to deliver excitement on and off the pitch, but a surprising storyline has emerged regarding refereeing assignments.
A number of international referees are still waiting for their first opportunity to officiate as center referees, despite the tournament reaching the Round of 32 stage.
FIFA has so far relied heavily on a selected group of experienced referees for early and knockout matches, limiting rotation across the full officiating roster.
📢 Nine Referees Without a Single On-Field Appearance
At this stage of the tournament, nine referees remain without any on-field match assignment, despite being officially included in FIFA’s tournament list.
While some of them have participated as fourth officials or VAR assistants, none of them have yet stepped onto the pitch as the main referee.
This reflects FIFA’s cautious approach during the first-ever World Cup featuring 48 teams.
⭐ Saudi Referee Khaled Al-Turais Among the Waiting List
One of the most notable names still awaiting a debut is Saudi referee Khaled Al-Turais, representing the Arab refereeing contingent in the tournament.
Despite FIFA’s trust in him, his role has so far been limited to:
Fourth official duties
VAR team involvement
He has been assigned to several matches in supporting roles, including Croatia vs Panama, Ghana vs Panama, Côte d’Ivoire vs Ecuador, and Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina ⚽.
However, his first appearance as a center referee is still pending.
🌍 Full List of Waiting Referees
The referees still awaiting their first match include:
Yusuke Araki (Japan)
Juan Calderón (Costa Rica)
Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
Kevin Ortega (Peru)
Andrés Rojas (Colombia)
Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Abongile Tom (South Africa)
Khaled Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
🏆 Why FIFA Is Limiting Referee Rotation
FIFA’s refereeing committee has chosen to prioritize experienced officials for high-pressure knockout matches.
The decision is based on:
Ensuring consistency in major decisions
Reducing pressure on less experienced referees
Maintaining control in knockout-stage intensity
As a result, many referees have had limited or no chance to officiate on the field so far.
🔥 Last Chance Before the Knockout Phase Tightens
With the Round of 32 nearing completion, opportunities are becoming increasingly limited for referees who have not yet appeared.
FIFA traditionally ensures that most officials get at least one match, but as the tournament progresses toward quarterfinals and beyond, selection becomes much more restricted.
This makes upcoming matches crucial for these referees to secure their first and possibly only appearance in the tournament ⚽🔥.
🏁 A Waiting Game Continues
The refereeing storyline adds another layer of intrigue to the World Cup 2026, highlighting the balance between experience and opportunity.
As the tournament moves into its decisive stages, the big question remains:
Will these referees finally get their long-awaited chance, or will they leave the tournament without stepping onto the field? 🏆
