FIFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, has strongly supported the integrity and independence of match officials at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This comes after criticism following Argentina’s 3-2 win over Egypt in the Round of 16. The Egyptian Football Association had called for an investigation into the officiating and the removal of the refereeing team from the tournament.
Collina dismissed the allegations and emphasized FIFA’s trust in its officials. He stated that questioning the integrity of FIFA World Cup match officials can lead to threats against them and their families, which is unacceptable. The debate over refereeing decisions is considered a natural part of football, but Collina highlighted the importance of distinguishing between discussion and baseless accusations against the officials.
Addressing concerns about external influences on FIFA’s refereeing department, Collina rejected suggestions that the department could be swayed, even by FIFA’s leadership. He emphasized that FIFA referees operate independently and make honest decisions. Collina also clarified FIFA’s stance on individual refereeing decisions during major tournaments and explained the correct handling of controversial incidents in the Argentina-Egypt match.
