FIFA has confirmed Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor as match officials for the 2026 World Cup, per Sky Sports. The tournament, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will feature the English pair as part of a 36-referee group. This selection marks the second World Cup appearance for both officials after they featured in Qatar four years ago.
Oliver and Taylor have officiated regularly in the Premier League and European competitions this season. According to The Guardian, the selection process involved several training seminars and fitness assessments over the past two years. FIFA also named assistant referees Stuart Burt, Dan Cook, Gary Beswick, and Adam Nunn to support the duo during the tournament.
The tournament begins on June 11, 2026. FIFA selected 89 assistant referees and 30 video match officials alongside the main referees to manage the expanded 48-team competition, according to Reuters. English representation remains consistent with previous major tournaments.
