Following the announcement of the match officials for Matches 9 to 12 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has highlighted a remarkable officiating milestone involving two of the tournament’s most experienced referees.
As confirmed via the official X handle of FIFA, Softfootball understands that Juan Pablo Belatti and Alireza Faghani will become the first match officials in history to work at four FIFA World Cup tournaments, adding the 2026 edition to their already impressive records. The governing body marked the achievement with a promotional graphic featuring both officials in their official 2026 World Cup referee uniforms.
FIFA revealed:
Match officials Juan Pablo Belatti and Alireza Faghani are set to make history at@FIFAWorldCup 2026
The milestone underscores the consistency, professionalism, and longevity required to officiate at football’s highest level across multiple generations of players and tournaments.
Their achievement has drawn praise from supporters around the world, with many comparing their longevity to that of elite players who have appeared in multiple World Cups. Others highlighted the significance of maintaining top-level performance standards over such a lengthy period.
The recognition comes as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with officials playing a crucial role in managing the expanded 48-team competition.
In team news, reports suggest that Neymar is expected to miss Brazil national football team’s opening Group C fixture against Morocco national football team as he continues his recovery from injury, dealing an early setback to Brazil’s tournament preparations.
