The best referees from the football confederations will officiate the matches at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. FIFA tries to choose the referees with the highest distinction and experience. In big tournaments, like the World Cups and the continental championships, the match referees almost always have a significant burden.
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) December 8, 2022
The referees also receive substantial compensation for such important work officiating at these events. Since the World Cup in Russia (2018), the managerial body of the World Cup has arranged that each match referee would receive basic pay of $70,000 for involvement in the FIFA World Cup. FIFA also determined that each assistant referee would pick up an initial $25,000 for their participation in the World Cup for the first time in the history of this competition.
The money a match official earns from a World Cup event is at least three times higher than the amount they get for refereeing games in the UEFA Champions League.
Stephanie Frappart, Neuza Back and Karen Diaz made history at #Qatar2022 👏 pic.twitter.com/Fk5I4odyhp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
Other World Cup news:
Match fees
Match referee
The match referee, the most influential person on the pitch and primarily responsible for the game’s flow, is paid $3,000 for the group stage, and for the playoffs or the final, their fee increases to $10,000. In most cases, a match official oversees an average of two games, and FIFA adds the match fees they earned to their contracted pay. A successful referee who would officiate all the games, including the final, could earn up to $300,000 during the tournament.
Assistant referee
The two assistant referees on each side of the field mainly review offsides, and fouls in their proximity and those not well seen by the match referee. To be more precise, they are paid just a fraction less than the referee for their effort and labor, $2,500 for the group stage, and a playoffs/final fee of $5,000. In the perfect case for the assistant referees, their total tournament payout would be $150,000
Fourth official
The fourth official is one who supervises the substitution procedure and checks a player or substitute’s equipment. They hold the duty of supervising ball replacement during the match. Their fee is the same as the assistant referee, $2,500/$5,000 per match, and the expected total tournament payout (officiating up to the final game) is $150,000.
Video assistant referees
The most significant change in football rules in recent years is the introduction of video assistant referees. The ones selected for the FIFA World Cup 2022 will earn $3,000 for a match, and in the later stage of the tournament, their fee increases to $5,000, with the ideal total tournament payout at $175,000.
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) May 19, 202236 referees
69 assistant referees
24 video match officialsSelected #WorldCup match officials represent the highest level of refereeing worldwide.
6 women’s match officials appointed for first time in FIFA World Cup history.
Video: Qatar vs Ecuador - what to know
Given the depth and details provided, it's evident that FIFA's officiating system in major tournaments like the World Cup involves meticulous planning and substantial compensation for referees and officials. Let's break down the key concepts and components mentioned in the article:
Referee Selection Criteria:
- Quality Referees: FIFA emphasizes selecting top referees from football confederations for World Cup matches.
- Experience and Distinction: Preference for referees with significant experience and high distinction in officiating.
Compensation Structure:
- Basic Pay: Referees receive substantial compensation for their roles. For instance, match referees at the FIFA World Cup received $70,000 since the 2018 Russia World Cup.
- Assistant Referees: Their pay stands at $25,000 for their participation in the World Cup, marking a first in the competition's history.
- Comparative Compensation: World Cup earnings significantly surpass earnings from other prestigious tournaments like the UEFA Champions League.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Match Referee: The primary official responsible for the game's flow, earning $3,000 for group stage matches and $10,000 for playoffs/finals.
- Assistant Referees: Support the match referee in specific tasks, earning $2,500 for group stage and $5,000 for playoffs/finals.
- Fourth Official: Oversees substitutions and equipment checks, with a fee structure similar to assistant referees.
- Video Assistant Referees (VAR): Notable introduction for referee support, earning $3,000 per match and $5,000 for later stages.
Total Potential Earnings:
- Match Officials' Earnings: Depending on the number of matches officiated, a referee could potentially earn up to $300,000, while assistant referees, fourth officials, and VARs could earn up to $150,000 or $175,000, respectively, during the tournament.
Recent Developments:
- Historic Moments: Recognition of referees like Stephanie Frappart, Neuza Back, and Karen Diaz for making history at Qatar 2022.
- Inclusion: Six women's match officials appointed for the first time in FIFA World Cup history, signifying a shift toward inclusivity and diversity in officiating.
These details underline the meticulous approach FIFA employs in selecting and compensating referees, acknowledging their pivotal role in ensuring fair and smooth gameplay during major football events like the World Cup.
