The training and education of highly-qualified match officials - Team One - goes hand in hand with developments in playing and coaching aspects. Football requires competent referees to officiate matches, not only to ensure the uniform application of the Laws of the Game but also to use their experience to protect players on the pitch (Goal 5 of the 2024-2027 Strategic Objectives).
Through the implementation of the FIFA Referee Education & Development Programme, both match officials and referee instructors benefit from enhanced online learning tools, professionally curated video materials and frequent workshops at confederation, regional and member association level to ensure that officiating the game remains in step with player development initiatives.
Refereeing media briefings at FIFA tournaments
Refereeing
Key Documents
Who at FIFA is responsible for Refereeing?
The FIFA Refereeing Department/Division is divided into three respective sub-teams with individual responsibility for: Refereeing Women; Refereeing Administration; and Video Assistant Refereeing.
The Referees Committee shall implement and interpret the Laws of the Game and may propose amendments to the Laws of the Game to the FIFA Council. It shall appoint the referees and assistant referees for matches in competitions organised by FIFA. Pierluigi Collina is Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee. Massimo Busacca is FIFA Director Refereeing. Kari Seitz (name to be updated after her departure) is Head of Refereeing Women. All Committees
All FIFA Refereeing updates straight to your inbox?
Help us define the newsletter content by answering 3 simple questions. It will take less than 2 minutes!
You might also be interested in…
Laws of the Game (International Football Association Board - IFAB)
The fact that the Laws of the Game are the same for all football throughout the world, from the FIFA World Cup™ through to a game between children in a remote village, is a considerable strength which must continue to be harnessed for the good of football.