FIFA World Cup Assistant Referees: Meet All The 69 That Will Be In Qatar

The world football governing body, FIFA released the official list of 69 assistant referees that will officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They were carefully selected from more than 40 countries across the continents to help 36 referees preside over the 64 matches of the competition.

Out of this number, only 4 are women; Xiang Shi from China, Karen Diaz Median from Mexico, Neuza Back from Brazil, and Kathryn Nesbitt from the United States.

Below Is The List Of The 69 Assistant Referees That Will Officiate In Qatar

1. Mohammadreza Abolfazli

Mohamadreza Abolfazli was born in Iran on September 13, 1977. He was an assistant referee during the 2020 AFC Under-23 Championship in Thailand.

The 47-year-old is one of 69 assistant referees selected by FIFA for the 2022 World Cup Qatar. 

2. Mahmoud Abouelregal

37-year-old Egyptian assistant referee will be one of the assistant referees for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His last assignment was at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup. 

 3. Taleb  Al Marri

Taleb Al Marri was the first Qatari referee to represent his country in Russia’s 2018 FIFA World Cup. Now, he will do it again on home soil come November 20, 2022.

4. Mohamed Al Hammadi 

40-year-old Emirati assistant referee, Mohamed Al Hammadi is part of the 69 assistant referees chosen by FIFA for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. His previous assignments include the 2017 Under-20 FIFA World Cup, the 2020 AFC Under-23 Championship, and the 2020  FIFA Club World Cup. 

5. Hasan Al Mahri

Emirati assistant referee, Hasan Al Mahri was born on February 8, 1978. The 46-year-old has been selected by FIFA for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His most recent assignment before the latest was the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup.

6. Saoud Ahmed Almaqaleh

Saoud Ahmed Almaqaleh will make his FIFA debut as an assistant referee at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was born and raised in Qatar and was appointed as assistant referee at the 2020 AFC Champions League.

7. Mihai Artene 

Born Mihai Ovidiu Artene in Vaslui, Romania, the 47-year-old will be an assistant alongside 68 others at Qatar FIFA World Cup. He previously assisted in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers for Europe. 

 8. Kyle Atkins

American assistant referee Kyle Atkins officiated at the 2019 Under-20 FIFA World Cup, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 37-year-old will continue in that role at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

9.  Neuza Back

Nueza Back from Brazil will join 68 assistant referees officiating at the World Cup in Qatar. Her previous assignments include CONMEBOL Libertadores Feminina 2018, and the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup.

10. Ashley Beecham

Australian assistant referee, Ashly Beecham previously officiated in competitions such as the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Asian Champions League, and Hyundai A-League. He has been listed among the 69 assistant referees that will join 39 referees for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

 11. Juan Pablo Belatti

Juan Pablo Belatti officiated at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and Russia, respectively. He will serve as an assistant referee in his third world cup assignment in Qatar.

12. Simon Bennett

39-year-old English assistant referee Simon Bennette has been appointed by FIFA as one of the assistant referees for the November 20, 2022, FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He previously officiated in the 2020 Euro and 2021 FA Cup. 

13. Gary Beswick

Gary Beswick, born in England on August 10, 1977, will officiate as an assistant referee in Qatar and 68 others. The 47-year-old was an assistant referee at the 2017 and 2029 FA Cup, Euro 2020, and the 2020/2021 English Premier League season. 

14. Diego Bonfa

46-year-old Argentine assistant referee, Diego Bonfa will be officiating in the FIFA World Cup for the first time. He previously assisted in the UEFA Euro 2020 and the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2022.  

15. Bruno Boschilia

Bruno Boschilia is a Brazilian assistant referee, he officiated at the 2011 Champions League Final and the CONMEBOL quarter-finals (first leg). Qatar will be his first time at a FIFA World Cup.

16. Ezequiel Brailovsky

Argentine assistant referee, Ezequiel Brailovsky will be among the 69 assistant referees officiating at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

17. Stuart Burt

44-year-old English assistant referee, Stuart Burt officiated several qualifying matches including the Champions League, the Europa League ad Europa Conference League. 

18. Djibril Camara

Djibril Camara is a Senegalese assistant referee who officiated at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and Rio 2016 Olympics. He is listed by FIFA for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

19. Cao Yi

Chinese assistant referee, Cao Yi will join his compatriots; referee Ma Ning and assistant referee Shi Xiang as part of the officials to officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

20. Ciro Carbone

Italian assistant referee, Ciro Carbone will officiate at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His previous assignments include the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup and 2020 Euro qualifiers.

21. Pau Cebrián

This is the second Italian assistant referee, Pau Cebrian will be officiating at a FIFA World Cup. His first was the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and now the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Additionally, he officiated at several international competitions such as the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2020 Euro, and the 2017 Under-20 FIFA World Cup.

22. Gabriel Chade

44-year-old Argentine assistant referee, Gabriel Chade was listed as a FIFA referee since 2016. He will officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar together with 68 others. 

23. Nicolas Danos

French assistant referee, Nicolas Danos was part of the match officials at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in  Russia. He has been selected by FIFA to be among the 69 assistant referees for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

24. Jan de Vries

Jan de Vries was an assistant referee during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Europe. He will join 68 others to officiate at the World Cup in Qatar.

25. Karen Diaz Medina

40-year-old Mexican referee, Karen Diaz Medina was certified as a FIFA assistant referee in 2018. She officiated in several CONCACAF competitions such as the women’s Under-7 Championship in Nicaragua, and the Men’s Under-20 Championship in Bradenton Florida. 

26. Roberto Díaz Pérez 

Qatar 2022 World Cup will be the second outing for Spanish assistant referee, Roberto Diaz Preez after officiating in Russia in 2018. His previous assignments include the 2016 Rio Olympics, and 2021/22 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Europe.

27. Jerson Dos Santos

Angolan assistant referee, Jerson Dos Santos was one of the assistant referees at the Russia 2018 FIFA World. FIFA appointed him to officiate at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

 28. Abdelhak Etchiali

Abdelhak Etchiali is a 43-year-old FIFA assistant referee from Algeria. He officiated at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup as part of the 63 assistant referees for the competition. In 2022, he was listed in 69 that will serve in Qatar. 

29. Helpys Raymundo Feliz

Helpsy Raymundo Feliz became a FIFA assistant referee in 2018, and four years after, he was selected to officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His previous assignments include the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League and Poland’s 2019 Under-20 FIFA World Cup.

 30. Rodrigo Figueiredo

Rodrigo Figueiredo is a Brazilian assistant referee, he was listed as a FIFA assistant referee in 2013. He will officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

31. Rafael Foltyn

37-year-old German referee, Rafael Foltyn served as a referee at Regionaliga (4th tier in the German football league) before he became an assistant referee at 2. Bundesliga and Bundesliga. At the international level, he became a UEFA assistant referee in 2016 and a FIFA assistant referee in 2019. He was listed among the 69 assistant referees that will officiate in Qatar. 

32. Alessandro Giallatini

Alessandro Giallatini is an Italian assistant referee who officiated at several international football competitions, including the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, and the Under-21 Euro qualifiers. The 49-year-old will join 68 others in Qatar. 

33. Mokrane Gourari

42-year-old Algerian referee, Mokrane Gourari will be an assistant referee at the World Cup for the first time in Qatar. Some of his previous assignments include World Cup qualifiers, AFCON qualifiers, and CAF Champions League. 

34. Cyril Gringore

French assistant referee, Cyril Gringore will be officiating at the World Cup for the second time alongside 36 referees and 69 assistant referees in Qatar. His first was four years ago in Russia.

35. Miguel Hernandez

47-year-old Mexican referee, Miguel Hernandez officiated in the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup and will join his compatriots Cesar Ramos, Karen Diaz, Alberto Morin, and Fernando Guerrero in Qatar. 

See Also-2022 FIFA World Cup Referees: Meet All The 36 Refs To Officiate In Qatar

36. Tomaž Klančnik

Slovenian assistant referee, Tomaž klančnik started his international career in 2014 and will officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His previous engagement includes UEFA Euro 2020, FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019, and FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017.

37. Andraž Kovačič 

Andraž Kovačič is a FIFA assistant referee from Slovenia. His portfolio included the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Europe, UEFA Euro 2020, and UEFA Euro 2020. He is one of three Slovenian referees (Slavko Vincic, Tomas Klancnik) selected by FIFA for the competition.

38. Tomasz Listkiewicz

Polish assistant referee, Tomasz Listkiewicz will be officiating at the World Cup for the first time. He is the son of the retired Polish referee and former President of the Polish FA, Michael Listkiewicz. The 46-year-old started his international career in 2011. 

39. Walter López

44-year-old Guatemalan assistant referee, Walter Lopez will make a FIFA World Cup debut in Qatar. He officiated at the qualifiers of the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup.

40. Tevita Makasini 

Tongan assistant referee, Tevita Makasini started his international refereeing career in 2006 and has officiated in several international competitions, including two FIFA World Cups; South Africa 2010, and Russia 2018, and three Olympics tournaments; Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.

He will make a third appearance in Qatar alongside 68 other assistant referees.

41. Mohammadreza Mansouri

46-year-old Iranian football referee, Mohammadreza Mansouri is part of three Iranian referees; Alireza Faghani (referee) and Mohammadreza Abolfazli (assistant referee) to officiate in Qatar. He previously refereed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

42. Marengule Arsenio

Marengule Arsenio from Mozambique started his international career in 2010 and will join other African referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup in Qatar.

43. Vasile Marinescu

Romanian assistant referee, Vasile Marinescu will join two of his countrymen; Istvan Kovacs (referee), and Mihai Artene (assistant referee) to officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The 48-year-old refereed at several international competitions such as the Euro 2020, FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019, Europa League, and Champions League. 

44. Juan Carlos Mora

This is the second time Costa Rican assistant referee, Juan Carlos Mora will be among the officiating official for a FIFA World. He previously refereed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

45. David Morán

39-year-old El Salvadorian assistant referee started his international career in 2015. Three years later, he refereed at Russia’s 2018 FIFA World Cup. He will be officiating in Qatar alongside fellow Salvadorean referee, Ivan Barton. 

46. Tulio Moreno

Venezuelan assistant referee launched his international refereeing career in 2012 and officiated in international tournaments such as FIFA World Cup qualifiers in South America, the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and Tokyo Olympics.

47. Alberto Morín

Alberto Morin is a 44-year-old assistant referee from Mexico. He was part of the officiating officials at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Twelve years after, FIFA selected him to be part of the 69 assistant referees for the World Cup in Qatar. 

48. Kathryn Nesbitt

American assistant referee, Kathryn Nesbitt is one of four female assistant referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup in Qatar.

49. Elvis  Noupue

Elvis Noupue is an assistant referee from Cameroon. He began his international career in 2013 and officiated at several international and continental competitions including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the CAF African Cup of Nations.

50. Adam Nunn

Adam Nunn is one of six English referees (Michael Oliver, Anthony Taylor,  Simon Bennett, Gary Beswick, and Stuart Burt) to officiate at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. This is his first at the competition after his international career took off in  2017.

51. Michael Orué

39-year-old Peruvian assistant referee Michael Orue will his first FIFA World Cup appearance as a match official in Qatar. His previous engagements include World Cup qualifiers South America 2020-2022, Tokyo Olympics, Brazil 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and the 2019 U-23 Pan American Games.

52. Corey Parker

Corey Parker became an international referee in 2015 and officiated at the World Cup qualifiers CONCACAF from 2015 to 2017 and 2020 to 2022. He is among the six American referees picked by FIFA for the World Cup in Qatar.

53. Souru Phatšoane

Souru Phatsoane is an international football referee from Lesotho. He previously officiate in competitions such as the 2017 AFCON, Tokyo Olympics, and 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

54. Bruno Pires 

Bruno Pires is among the two referees (Rapahel Claus, Wilton Sampaio) and five assistant referees (Bruno Boschilia, Rodrigo Figuereido, Nueza Back, Danilo Simon) from Brazil selected by FIFA to officiate in Qatar. This is his time at the highest global soccer competition.

55. Mark Rule

New Zealander assistant referee, Mark Rule will officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after doing so at the 2014 edition in Brazil. The 43-year-old and his compatriot, referee Matthew Conger were selected by FIFA for the competition. 

 56. El Hadji Samba

The Senegalese assistant referee began his international career in 2008 and officiated at several international competitions such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Rio 2016 Olympics, and FIFA Club World Cup.

57. Jesús Sánchez

Jesus Sanchez was selected by FIFA alongside Michael Orue and Kevin Ortega from Peru to officiate in Qatar. His previous jobs include World Cup qualifiers in South America and  Tokyo Olympics.

58. Jan Seidel

37-year-old German assistant referee Jan Seidel became an international referee in 2016. He will his first FIFA appearance in Qatar come November 20, 2022. 

59. Anton Shchetinin

Anton Shchetinin is an assistant referee from Germany. He was selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

60. Xiang Shi

Xiang Shi is an assistant referee from China, she was selected by FIFA to officiate in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 44-year-old started her international career in 2014.

61. Danilo Simon 

Brazilian assistant referee, Danilo Simon became an international referee in 2017. He was an assistant referee in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar.

 62. Zakhele Siwela

Zakhele Siwela is one of South Africa’s finest football referees. The 42-year-old and his compatriot Victor Gomes (referee) made it to the Qatar 2022 referees list released by FIFA due to an incredible performance in the CAF Champions League final between Al Ahly of Egypt and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, and the 2022 AFCON final between Senegal and Egypt. 

Siwela was also part of the referees that officiated at the 2018 edition of the world cup in Russia.

 63. Pawel Sokolnicki 

The Polish referee, Pawel Sokolnicki began his interaction refereeing career in 2010 and officiated at several international competitions such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar. He was included in the list of 69 assistant referees to officiate at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

64. Martin Soppi

Martin Soppi will officiate in Qatar alongside 68 assistant referees and 36 referees, which include his fellow Uruguayan referees; Andres Matonte (referee), Nicolas Taran (assistant referee), and Leodan Gonzalez (VAR official).

65. Hessel Steegstra

Dutch assistant referee, Hessel Steegstra started his international career in 2013. He will officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

66. Nicolás Taran

Nicolas Taran from Uruguay was listed by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup in Qatar. He refereed several top football competitions such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and FIFA Club Worl Cup.

67. Jorge Urrego

Jorge Urrego has never officiated at football’s highest tournament but in November, he will get the chance to do that in Qatar. He was selected by FIFA as one of the 69 assistant referees for the competition.

68. Caleb Wales

Caleb Wales is the only referee from Trinidad & Tobago to officiate in Qatar after he was selected by FIFA as an assistant referee.

69. Zachari Zeegelaar

35-year-old Surinamese assistant referee, Zachari Zeegelaar will referee at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He started his international career in 2014 and officiated the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.