FIFA has officially announced the appointment of 117 match officials from 41 member associations for the historic inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, set to take place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July. The tournament, hosted across 12 stadiums in 11 cities, marks a new chapter in global club football, with groundbreaking innovations both on and off the pitch.
Among those selected are 35 referees, 58 assistant referees, and 24 video match officials, collectively known as “Team One.” The selection follows a rigorous preparation process that included seminars with FIFA referees from all six confederations.
Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, emphasized the honor of participating in such a monumental event:
“As every new competition starts, the selected referees are among those who have the privilege to be part of this for the first time, so I’m sure that all the match officials will be thrilled.”
Collina also noted that high expectations remain following recent strong performances in past FIFA tournaments, adding that Team One is prepared to meet the challenge and contribute significantly to the competition’s success.
Massimo Busacca, FIFA Director of Refereeing, likened the preparation of referees to that of football teams, stressing the need for uniformity, consistency, and cultural awareness:
“We know that we have to understand the different mentality in football, and this is crucial.”
Body Cams and New Time-Wasting Rules Debut
One of the most talked-about innovations for the 2025 edition is the introduction of body cameras worn by match officials. This trial, supported by The IFAB, aims to improve transparency and referee coaching. The live feed from these body cams will be made available to fans through DAZN, the exclusive global broadcaster for the tournament.
Collina explained the dual purpose behind the trial:
“We think it is a good chance to offer the viewers a new experience… It also has a purpose in terms of referee coaching because, of course, having the possibility to see what the referee sees is important in the debriefing.”
In another move to modernize the game, FIFA will also implement a new rule targeting goalkeeper time-wasting. Under the updated Laws of the Game, if a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds (with referees using a visible five-second countdown), a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team – replacing the previously indirect free kick for exceeding six seconds.
As the countdown to kickoff begins, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises not only to showcase the best club teams from around the globe but also to push the boundaries of innovation in officiating, broadcasting, and fan engagement.
