FIFA Selects Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor as Referees for 2026 World Cup

Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have been selected as England's on-field referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“- Published Premier League referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have been selected to officiate at this summer's 2026 World Cup”

BBC

England will be represented by six on-field officials, with four assistant referees.

BBC

Australian Jarred Gillett will join the VAR team.

FIFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina said the selected officials are the very best in the world.

The expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams and begins on 11 June.

The 2026 World Cup will introduce several officiating innovations, including referees wearing body cameras.

Players will face stricter time limits during substitutions.

Football Insider

Keith Hackett praised Oliver and Taylor as England’s two best referees.

Oliver's work had stood out despite some criticism of English referees.

Six women have made the final list of match officials.

“Playmakerstats ·9 April 2026 Playmakerstats ·9 April 2026 Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have been confirmed as England’s on-field referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after FIFA unveiled its officiating list for next summer’s expanded competition in the United States”

OneFootball

Only two will be part of the 52-referee team.

The total of six female officials is the same as at Qatar 2022.

FIFA was aiming to further develop women's refereeing.