Ibrahim bin Mohammed

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 13:47 | 2 minutes read

Ten international referee teams, including the Saudi team, were absent from officiating matches at the 2026 World Cup, with their participation limited to supporting roles such as fourth official or video assistant referee (VAR).

The International Football Association (FIFA) has not issued any official statement regarding specific referee teams to explain why they were not assigned field matches, but Pierluigi Collina, head of the referees committee, said in one of the courses: 'In the tournament's regulatory literature, the invited list represents one integrated team, and being assigned as a fourth official or being in the VAR room is an integral and parallel part of managing the match from the field.'

The teams that were not assigned any matches as main field referees receive fixed and generous financial compensation guaranteed by FIFA simply for being on the final list.

According to the updates approved by FIFA, the guaranteed compensation for these teams is distributed as follows: $100,000 fixed as soon as they are selected in the official World Cup list, even if they do not blow a single whistle as a main referee. Added to the fixed amount is a bonus for each match they participate in as a fourth official.

The assistant referee receives a fixed basic compensation of $25,000, plus a dedicated fee for each match they participate in as part of support teams as reserve assistant referees or support linesmen. In addition to the aforementioned fixed amounts, FIFA guarantees all referee teams present at the World Cup (participating as main or support) a daily allowance covering personal expenses throughout the stay at the tournament.

FIFA also fully covers the costs of flight tickets (first/business class), accommodation in 5-star hotels, medical care, and physical and psychological rehabilitation. Thus, the absent team does not leave empty-handed: the field referee guarantees at least $100,000, and the assistant guarantees at least $25,000, plus allowances for their logistical presence and other supporting roles at the stadium.

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