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How Much Will World Cup Referees Earn This Year?
Priya Nambiar | June 10, 2026 10:09 PM CST

Referees officiating at this summer’s World Cup are set to receive up to $100,000 (£75,000) in earnings, with significant additional bonuses available for those selected to oversee matches in the latter stages of the competition.

According to a report by The Times, these figures are roughly double the amount paid to referees during the 2014 World Cup, underscoring FIFA’s commitment to ensuring that the highest-calibre officials are in charge of matches at the tournament.

Premier League referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have both been named among the selected officials for the event.

Jarred Gillett, another referee who regularly officiates in the English Premier League, will also feature at the World Cup—hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—serving as a specialist VAR (Video Assistant Referee) official.

Oliver and Taylor would need to officiate the final match to secure the maximum possible payout. However, that scenario would only be possible if England does not reach the final, as FIFA’s regulations prevent referees from officiating matches involving their own national teams.

In total, FIFA has appointed 52 referees for this summer’s global football showpiece, supported by 88 assistant referees and 30 VAR officials. However, the total number was reduced by one after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry at the US border and redirected to Istanbul, from where he had travelled.

Last year, the English Football League (EFL) informed clubs that top-tier referees typically earn between £170,000 and £180,000 annually. Their base salaries range from £72,000 to £148,000, depending on their experience and seniority, with additional match fees and performance-based bonuses. Even the most junior Premier League officials reportedly earn around £125,000 per year.


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