Most especially for FIFA’s inclusion of females in the list of officials designated to oversee its matches, the 2022 World Cup has been making headlines in recent times.

While some football fans are excited that female referees will feature for the first time in the history of the men’s World Cup, it’s really noteworthy that the 2022 World Cup will take place between November-December, 2022.

This means that contrary to the custom of holding the men’s World Cup in a period when top football leagues across the world must have ended, this year (2022)’s edition of the competition is slated to be held mid-way through the leagues. Therefore, the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and other top leagues across the world have to be put on hold within the period the 2022 World Cup is scheduled to last.

The men’s World Cup is a highly coveted football competition which witnesses football stars, fans and referees from across the world. With this, every edition of the World Cup tends to come with sparks of excitement and a series of unforgettable moments.

As scheduled by FIFA, the 2022 Qatar World Cup will be overseen by a total of 129 match officials. With 36 of these officials designated as referees, we’d like to discuss the referees to watch out for at the fast-approaching 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Who Are the Top 10 Referees to Watch Out for in Qatar 2022 World Cup?

Michael Oliver

Michael Oliver –a well-known referee in the English Premier League –is without doubt one of the top referees to watch out for in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He is one of the referees in the Select Group of Referees –an elite list of PGMOL-appointed professional football referees and assistant referees.

Although he is more prominent for refereeing in the English Premier League, Michael Oliver has officiated in other notable competitions including the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He was, particularly, the referee at the final of the latter competition.

Born on February 20, 1985, Michael Oliver hails from Northumberland in England. In 2007, he became the youngest football referee to officiate at England’s Wembley Stadium. Michael Oliver set this impressive record after having refereed the 2007 Conference National play-off final. He holds other notable records as the youngest Football League referee as well as the youngest Football League assistant referee.

Oliver’s early emergence into refereeing seems to have been motivated by the fact that his father, Clive, is a professional referee. Records show that Clive brought Oliver into the refereeing world when the latter was just 14 years old.

In 2018, Michael Oliver got promoted to the UEFA Elite Group of Referees. Quite interestingly, he is one of the two EPL referees who have been selected by FIFA to officiate in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Anthony Taylor

Anthony Taylor is another EPL referee selected by FIFA to officiate in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He became a FIFA-listed referee in 2013. While Anthony Taylor is very prominent for his refereeing role in the EPL, where he’s been officiating since 2010, the English man previously officiated in other leagues between 2002 and 2010. These leagues include Northern Premier League, Football Conference, and The Football League.

Born on October 20, 1978, Anthony Taylor hails from Manchester, England. He is one of the referees in the Select Group of Referees –an elite list of PGMOL-appointed professional football referees and assistant referees. In England where he primarily officiates, Anthony Taylor has refereed various notable matches including 2015 Football League Cup final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, and FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020.

Anthony Taylor began his career as a referee in 2002 with the Northern Premier League. In 2004, the English man advanced to the Conference North where he officiated until 2006. Taylor, who became a member of Select Group of Referees in 2010, is definitely one of the top referees to watch out for in Qatar 2022.

Antonio Mateu Lahoz

Antonio Mateu –or fully Antonio Mateu Lahoz –is a professional football referee well known for his refereeing role in Spanish La Liga; he’s been officiating in this competition since 2008.

Antonio Mateu is an experienced referee who has officiated outside domestic competitions, thanks to his notable refereeing roles in 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Born on March 12, 1977, Antonio Mateu began his refereeing career in 1999 with Tercera Division. In 2002, he advanced to Segunda Division B where he refereed until 2004. Between 2004 and 2008, Antonio Mateu officiated in Segunda Division, and since his promotion to La Liga in 2008, he has remained a top referee in the Spanish top flight.

One of the notable football matches Antonio Mateu has refereed outside La Liga is the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final. While this (final) match was an “all-England” final between Chelsea and Manchester City, it ended in a 1-0 victory for Chelsea.

Mateu Lahoz, who became a FIFA-listed football referee in 2011, has been selected by FIFA to officiate in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup.

Danny Makkelie

Danny Makkelie –or fully Danny Desmond Makkelie –is a professional football referee well known for having refereed various football matches in Europe. He is the UEFA Elite referee who presided over the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship final.

Danny Makkelie is an experienced referee who has substantially officiated in the capacity of a video assistant referee, thanks to his VAR roles in FIFA World Cup Final (2018), FIFA Club World Cup Final (2016 and 2018), FIFA Under-20 World Cup Final (2017), and UEFA Champions League Final (2019).

Born on January 28, 1983, Danny Makkelie began officiating in his country (Netherland)’s league, Eredivisie, in 2009. Danny Makkelie, who became a FIFA-listed football referee in 2011, has been selected by FIFA to officiate in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup.

Some of the notable football competitions Danny Makkelie has refereed in include UEFA Euro 2020 and 2020 UEFA Europa League. In addition to his role as a referee, Danny Makkelie serves in other occupational capacities, as a referee coach and as a police inspector.

Daniel Siebert

Daniel Siebert is a professional football referee well known for his refereeing role in the German Bundesliga; he’s been officiating in this competition since 2012.

Just like other top FIFA and UEFA referees, Daniel Siebert is an experienced referee who has officiated outside domestic competitions, thanks to his notable refereeing roles in 2020 European Championship and 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification. Daniel Siebert, who became a FIFA-listed football referee in 2015, has been selected by FIFA to officiate in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup.

Born on May 4, 1984, Daniel Siebert began his refereeing career in 1998. Between 2007 and 2012, he has progressed through the ranks in Germany’s domestic competitions including DFB, 2. Bundesliga, and Bundesliga. He started with DFB in 2007 and then progressed to 2. Bundesliga in 2009. In 2012, he became a referee for the German top flight, Bundesliga.

One of the notable football matches Daniel Siebert has refereed outside Bundesliga is the 2020 European Championship R16 match between Denmark and Wales. Besides working as a referee particularly for FC Nordost Berlin, Daniel Siebert serves as a part-time teacher at a Berlin-based sports school.

Stephanie Frappart

Stephanie Frappart is a FIFA-listed female referee who is notable as the first female referee to have officiated in the UEFA Champions League. She struck this historic landmark after having refereed a UCL match in 2020.

Stephanie Frappart, who has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2009, is also notable as the first female referee to take charge of a men’s football match in Ligue 1. The well-known female referee has also officiated a men’s World Cup qualifier.

In France, Frappart began officiating men’s football in 2011 when she was a referee in the Championnat National. Frappart advanced to Ligue 2 in 2014, and eventually in 2019, she became a referee in Ligue 1, which is the top flight for men’s football in France.

One of the notable men’s football matches officiated by Stephanie Frappart was the 2019 UEFA Super Cup. As for refereeing in women’s football, Frappart has officiated football matches in various competitions, including the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Interestingly, Frappart falls among the few female referees we’re going to see at the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar. While it’s noteworthy that only three female referees were selected by FIFA in this regard, Frappart is definitely one of the referees to watch out for at the highly coveted men’s football competition.

Raphael Claus

Raphael Claus is a Brazilian referee who has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2015. He officiates in the Federecao Paulista de Futbol. He’s definitely one of the two Brazilian referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The second Brazilian referee in this regard is Wilton Sampaio.

Born on September 6, 1979, Raphael Claus has taken charge of football matches in notable competitions, including 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America.

Victor Gomes

Victor Gomes –fully named Victor Miguel de Freitas Gomes –is one of the African referees shortlisted by FIFA to officiate at Qatar 2022 World Cup. He is a South African referee who primarily officiates in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Victor Gomes, who became a FIFA-listed referee in 2011, is unarguably one of the top-profile football referees in PSL. In seasons 2012/13 and 2017/18, he was awarded Referee of the Season in PSL. His refereeing profile shows that he has officiated notable football matches, including the 2021 AFCON final match in which Senegal secured triumph over Egypt after a penalty shoot-out.

Facundo Tello

Facundo Tello –fully named Facundo Raul Tello Figueroa –is a FIFA-listed referee of Argentine descent. In the Argentine Primera Division where he primarily officiates, Facundo Tello has been a referee since 2013.

Facundo Tello is the Argentine referee who took charge of the dramatic 2022 Argentina’s Champions Trophy final in which he (Tello) dished out three red cards to Racing Club and seven red cards to Boca Juniors. Tello has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2019, and he is one of the two Argentine referees shortlisted to officiate at 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The other Argentine referee in this regard is Fernando Rapallini.

Mustapha Ghorbal

Mustapha Ghorbal is an Algerian football referee who became a FIFA-listed referee in 2014. He primarily officiates in the Algerian Ligue 1, where he has been a referee since 2011.

Born in Oran, Algeria, on August 19, 1985, Mustapha Ghorbal is a top-profile African football referee who has officiated in a good number of international competitions, including 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, 2020 CAF Champions League Final, etc.

FAQs

When Is 2022 World Cup Starting, and Where Is It Taking Place?

The much-anticipated men’s 2022 World Cup will start on November 20, 2022, and will take place in Qatar.

Will There Be Female Referees in 2022 World Cup?

Yes, and as announced by FIFA, the female referees to officiate at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are as follows: Stephanie Frappart (from France); Yoshimi Yamashita (from Japan); and Salima Mukansanga (from Rwanda).

Impressively, the three names above have made history as the first three female referees to be selected for the men’s World Cup.

How Many African Referees Were Selected for the 2022 World Cup?

Six African referees were selected for the 2022 World Cup. The names of these African referees are as follows: Bakary Gassama (of Gambia); Mustapha Ghorbal (of Algeria); Victor Gomes (of South Africa); Salima Mukansanga (of Rwanda); Maguette N’Diaye (of Senegal); and Janny Sizakwe (of Zambia).

Who Is Stephanie Frappart?

Stephanie Frappart is a FIFA-listed female referee who is notable as the first female referee to have officiated in the UEFA Champions League. She struck this historic landmark after having refereed a UCL match in 2020. Frappart, who has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2009, is also notable as the first female referee to take charge of a men’s football match in Ligue 1. The well-known female referee has also taken charge of a men’s World Cup qualifier.

In France, Frappart began officiating men’s football in 2011 when she was a referee in the Championnat National. Frappart advanced to Ligue 2 in 2014, and eventually in 2019, she became a referee in Ligue 1, which is the top flight for men’s football in France. Interestingly, Stephanie Frappart is one of the few female referees selected by FIFA to officiate in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

How Many EPL Referees Were Selected for the 2022 World Cup?

Among the 36 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, there are two referees representing the English Premier League. They are Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor. Each of these two referees belongs to the Select Group of Referees –an elite list of PGMOL-appointed professional football referees and assistant referees.

Born on February 20, 1985, Michael Oliver hails from Northumberland in England. In 2007, he became the youngest football referee to officiate at England’s Wembley Stadium. Michael Oliver set this impressive record after having refereed the 2007 Conference National play-off Final. He holds other notable records as the youngest Football League referee as well as the youngest Football League assistant referee.

Born on October 20, 1978, Anthony Taylor hails from Manchester, England. In England where he primarily officiates, Anthony Taylor has refereed various notable matches including 2015 Football League Cup final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, and FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020.

Conclusion

The much-anticipated 2022 World Cup is scheduled to start on November 20, 2022, and the competition will be overseen by 129 match officials, 36 of whom are referees.

With the information provided thus far, we hope we’ve been able to convince you about the top referees you should be willing to watch out for at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

References:

https://www.goal.com/en-ng/amp/news/referee-list-2022-world-cup-six-female-match-officials-appointed/blt89e3e71a368b5b63

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Oliver_(referee)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phanie_Frappart

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Siebert_(referee)#:~:text=Daniel%20Siebert%20(born%204%20May,a%20UEFA%20elite%20category%20referee.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Taylor_(referee)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Mateu_Lahoz

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Claus#:~:text=Rafael%20Claus%20(born%206%20September,FIFA%20World%20Cup%20in%20Qatar.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Gomes

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustapha_Ghorbal

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Makkelie#:~:text=Danny%20Desmond%20Makkelie%20(born%2028,FIFA%20listed%20referee%20since%202011.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facundo_Tello#:~:text=Facundo%20Ra%C3%BAl%20Tello%20Figueroa%20(born,list%2C%20where%20Tello%20was%20chosen.