15 April, 2025- FIFA has officially announced the appointment of 117 match officials for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the global game. The landmark tournament, scheduled to take place from 14 June to 13 July 2025 across 12 stadiums in 11 host cities in the United States, will feature 35 referees, 58 assistant referees, and 24 video match officials representing 41 member associations.
The selection follows months of rigorous preparation, including global seminars with top referees from all six confederations. This elite group, dubbed Team One, is tasked with maintaining the highest standards of officiating in what promises to be a historic competition.
Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, expressed pride in the appointments, calling it a “privilege” for those chosen.
“As every new competition starts, the selected referees are among those who have the privilege to be part of this for the first time. I’m sure that all the match officials will be thrilled,” said Collina.
“The bar is higher than ever, and Team One will make a solid contribution to the success of this exciting competition.”
In a pioneering move, referees will wear body cameras for the first time in FIFA history. The footage, streamed live by DAZN, the exclusive global broadcaster for the tournament, aims to offer fans an unprecedented first-person perspective of in-game decision-making.
“This is a chance to offer viewers a unique experience, from an angle of vision never seen before,” added Collina. “It also benefits referee development by allowing deeper debriefs and analysis.”
In line with recent updates from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), FIFA will introduce a new rule targeting time-wasting by goalkeepers. If a goalkeeper holds the ball longer than eight seconds, referees will now award a corner kick to the opposing team — a significant shift from the previous indirect free kick rule. A visual countdown will assist referees in enforcing this regulation.
FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca emphasized the meticulous preparation behind the scenes:
“We work to ensure uniformity and consistency in officiating, while also understanding cultural differences in footballing mentality. Like players, referees must train and perform at the highest level.”
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ is set to be a game-changer — not just for the clubs competing, but for the future of football officiating as well. With innovation, transparency, and excellence at the forefront, FIFA continues to push the boundaries of the beautiful game.
Source: FIFA
