FIFA Referee Salary 2023

Are you curious about how much FIFA referees get paid for officiating soccer matches? Do you want to know how their salary compares to other leagues and countries? If so, this article is for you.

In this article, we will explore the FIFA referee salary, the factors that affect it, and the benefits and challenges of being a soccer referee. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about FIFA referees.

What is FIFA?

FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association, which is the international governing body of soccer. FIFA organizes and oversees major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA also sets the rules and regulations for soccer, including the Laws of the Game, which are followed by all referees.

FIFA has six confederations under its umbrella: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). Each confederation has its own competitions and referees.

How are FIFA referees selected?

FIFA referees are selected from a pool of elite referees from each confederation. These referees have to meet certain criteria, such as:

• Having at least five years of experience at the highest level of domestic soccer in their country
• Passing physical, medical, and psychological tests
• Passing theoretical and practical exams on the Laws of the Game
• Being fluent in English and at least one other official FIFA language
• Being between 25 and 45 years old

FIFA referees are divided into three categories: FIFA Referees, FIFA Assistant Referees, and Video Assistant Referees (VAR). FIFA Referees are the ones who control the game on the field, while FIFA Assistant Referees assist them with offside decisions, fouls, substitutions, and other matters. VARs are referees who use video technology to review controversial incidents and advise the FIFA Referee on possible errors.

FIFA referees are appointed by the FIFA Referees Committee, which is composed of representatives from each confederation. The committee considers various factors when assigning referees to matches, such as:

• The level and importance of the match
• The performance and experience of the referee
• The neutrality and diversity of the referee
• The availability and travel arrangements of the referee

How much do FIFA referees get paid?

The FIFA referee salary depends on several factors, such as:

• The type and stage of the tournament
• The category and rank of the referee
• The confederation and country of the referee
• The expenses and allowances of the referee

According to various sources, FIFA referees can earn anywhere from $27 to $50 per youth game to $6,354 per game in Spain’s La Liga, which is the highest-paid league in the world. However, these figures may vary depending on the exchange rate, inflation, contract negotiations, and other factors.

For major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, FIFA pays a fixed amount to each referee regardless of their confederation or country. For example, in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, FIFA paid:

• $70,000 to each FIFA Referee
• $25,000 to each FIFA Assistant Referee
• $20,000 to each VAR

These amounts were paid as a lump sum before the tournament started. In addition to that, FIFA also paid a per diem allowance of $700 to each referee for each day they stayed in Russia. This allowance covered their accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses.

The total amount that a FIFA referee earned in the 2018 FIFA World Cup depended on how long they stayed in Russia and how many matches they officiated. For example, if a referee stayed for 30 days and officiated four matches (one group stage match, one round of 16 match, one quarter-final match, and one semi-final match), they would earn:

• $70,000 + ($700 x 30) = $91,000 as a FIFA Referee
• $25,000 + ($700 x 30) = $46,000 as a FIFA Assistant Referee
• $20,000 + ($700 x 30) = $41,000 as a VAR

These amounts are before taxes and social security contributions. FIFA does not cover any taxes or social security contributions that may be due in the referee’s country of residence.

What are the benefits and challenges of being a FIFA referee?

Being a FIFA referee is not an easy job. It requires a lot of dedication, passion, skill, and professionalism. FIFA referees have to deal with high-pressure situations, intense scrutiny, physical and mental demands, and sometimes hostile environments. FIFA referees also have to balance their refereeing duties with their personal and professional lives, as most of them are not full-time referees.

However, being a FIFA referee also has many benefits, such as:

• Being part of the elite group of soccer referees in the world
• Having the opportunity to officiate the most prestigious and exciting soccer matches in the world
• Traveling to different countries and experiencing different cultures
• Earning a decent income and receiving various allowances and benefits
• Developing and improving their refereeing skills and knowledge
• Contributing to the development and promotion of soccer

10 Most Asked Questions and Answers about FIFA Referees

1. How many FIFA referees are there in the world?

According to FIFA, there were 3,790 FIFA referees (1,595 men and 2,195 women) and 6,139 FIFA assistant referees (2,159 men and 3,980 women) in 2020. These numbers may change every year depending on the number of referees who join or leave the FIFA list.

2. How do I become a FIFA referee?

To become a FIFA referee, you have to follow these steps:

• Join your national soccer association and register as a referee
• Start officiating at the lowest level of domestic soccer in your country and gain experience and recognition
• Climb up the refereeing ladder by passing exams, attending courses, and getting positive evaluations
• Reach the highest level of domestic soccer in your country and get nominated by your national soccer association to join the FIFA list
• Pass the FIFA tests and criteria and get approved by the FIFA Referees Committee

3. How long can a FIFA referee stay on the FIFA list?

A FIFA referee can stay on the FIFA list until they reach the age of 45, unless they retire earlier or get removed by FIFA for disciplinary or performance reasons. However, some exceptions may apply for certain tournaments or confederations.

4. How often do FIFA referees get evaluated?

FIFA referees get evaluated regularly by FIFA instructors, assessors, and observers. They also get feedback from their confederation and national soccer association. FIFA referees have to maintain a high level of performance and fitness to stay on the FIFA list.

5. How do FIFA referees communicate with each other?

FIFA referees communicate with each other using wireless headsets that allow them to talk and listen to each other during the match. They also use hand signals and flags to indicate their decisions.

6. How do FIFA referees deal with language barriers?

FIFA referees have to be fluent in English and at least one other official FIFA language (French, Spanish, German, or Arabic). They also have to learn some basic words and phrases in the language of the teams they are officiating. They can also use gestures and body language to communicate with players, coaches, and officials.

7. How do FIFA referees prepare for a match?

FIFA referees prepare for a match by studying the teams, players, coaches, tactics, history, and statistics of the match. They also review the Laws of the Game, the specific tournament regulations, and any recent changes or updates. They also do physical and mental exercises to warm up and focus before the match.

8. How do FIFA referees deal with controversial decisions?

FIFA referees deal with controversial decisions by following the Laws of the Game, applying their best judgment, consulting with their colleagues if necessary, and being confident and consistent in their decisions. They also use VAR if available to review possible errors or incidents. They also avoid being influenced by external factors such as crowd pressure, media criticism, or personal bias.

9. How do FIFA referees cope with stress?

FIFA referees cope with stress by having a positive attitude, a strong support system, a healthy lifestyle, and a good work-life balance. They also seek professional help if needed.

10. How do FIFA referees improve their skills?

FIFA referees improve their skills by attending courses, seminars, workshops, and camps organized by FIFA, their confederation, or their national soccer association. They also watch videos of their own matches and other matches to analyze their performance and learn from their mistakes. They also seek feedback from their instructors, assessors, colleagues, mentors, and peers.

Conclusion

FIFA referee salary is not fixed but depends on various factors such as the type and stage of the tournament, the category and rank of the referee, the confederation and country of the referee, and the expenses and allowances of the referee. However, it is generally higher than most domestic leagues and reflects the prestige and responsibility of being a FIFA referee.

Being a FIFA referee is not an easy job but it is also rewarding and fulfilling. It requires a lot of dedication, passion, skill, and professionalism. It also offers many benefits such as being part of the elite group of soccer referees in the world, having the opportunity to officiate the most prestigious and exciting soccer matches in the