FIFA excludes World Cup referee from 2026 tournament roster following UK arrest
The match official, who appeared on FIFA's preliminary selection for the North American tournament, has been barred from all future FIFA competition matches pending the outcome of ongoing police inquiries
FIFA has formally excluded a match official from the 2026 World Cup roster following his arrest in the United Kingdom for alleged sexual assault. The governing body confirmed on Tuesday that it is aware of the serious allegation and has immediately removed the individual from consideration for any future FIFA competition matches. This decision comes after British daily The Sun first reported details of the incident involving the alleged assault of a teenage boy.
The incident occurred while the official was in Britain to officiate a UEFA competition match. According to reports from the Metropolitan Police, a man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the allegations and subsequently released on bail. While the specific identity of the match official remains undisclosed, the football governing body noted that he had been included on the preliminary list of selected referees published earlier this month.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to run from 11 June to 19 July, will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament roster includes 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials selected to cover the 104-game schedule. Despite the official's initial inclusion in this list, FIFA has now determined that he will not be considered for any games associated with the event.
In parallel to FIFA's action, UEFA has also decided not to select the official for its games. The European football union stated that it is monitoring the situation with great concern and will continue to follow developments closely. UEFA emphasised that the alleged incident is part of an active investigation by the authorities, ensuring that the official is not cleared for duty until the process is complete.
Details regarding the specific venue of the UEFA match the official was working and the exact date of the incident have not been publicly identified. Furthermore, the full details of the alleged assault and the specific charges laid by the Metropolitan Police are not yet fully detailed in available public reports. Both FIFA and UEFA have maintained a cautious stance, prioritising the integrity of the upcoming tournament while the legal proceedings unfold.
