World Cup referees will earn a record $100,000 base fee for their participation in the tournament, according to a report by The Times. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg, appointed for the round of 32 clash between Spain and Austria, will receive an additional $10,000 match fee for this knockout stage assignment, totaling roughly 98 euros per minute of play.
How much does a World Cup referee earn?
The financial compensation for officials has seen a significant increase for the current tournament. The base fee of $100,000 (approximately 87,000 euros) is approximately double the amount paid to referees during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, The Times reports. This figure also represents a substantial jump from the $70,000 fixed fee provided to head referees during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
FIFA’s decision to raise pay reflects the expanded 48-team format and the increased scrutiny placed on officials. The governing body aims to attract the best referees to manage the larger scale of the event.
Beyond the base salary, officials earn performance-based bonuses that increase as they progress into later knockout rounds. While group stage matches pay the head referee between $3,000 and $5,000 per game, the payment for direct elimination matches rises to $10,000 per appointment. The highest single-match remuneration is reserved for the official who directs the final on July 19.
Who is Glenn Nyberg?
Glenn Nyberg, 37, is a FIFA-certified official since 2016 with extensive experience in European competitions. He was previously selected for Euro 2024, a tournament won by Spain. His resume includes 17 Champions League matches, five of which occurred in the most recent edition, including fixtures involving FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
Nyberg’s most prominent assignment in the Champions League was the first leg of the 2023-2024 quarter-final between Arsenal and Bayern Munich. He also regularly officiates in the Swedish league, as well as the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
In the current World Cup, Nyberg has already managed two matches: Ghana vs. Panama (1-0) and Curacao vs. Ivory Coast (0-2). In both contests, he issued three yellow cards.
Match Details: Spain vs. Austria
The round of 32 match between Spain and Austria will take place this Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time.
Nyberg will lead the officiating crew alongside fellow Swedes Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Soderkvist as assistant referees. Dahane Beida of Mauritius will serve as the fourth official, and Elvis Noupue of Cameroon will act as the reserve referee.
For Spain, the match represents a critical attempt to advance in a World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2010. Since their victory in South Africa, Spain has failed to progress past the elimination rounds, suffering exits in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Morocco 2022.
FIFA Officiating Corps and Personnel
FIFA originally selected 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 VAR officials for the tournament. However, that number decreased by one after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry at the U.S. border and returned to Istanbul.
Spain is represented in the official corps by four individuals: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (head referee), Carlos del Cerro Grande (VAR), and assistants Diego Sánchez Rojo and José Enrique Naranjo Pérez.
| Payment Type | Amount (USD) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Base Tournament Fee | $100,000 | Record participation fee |
| Group Stage Match | $3,000 – $5,000 | Per match fee |
| Knockout Stage Match | $10,000 | Per match fee (e.g., Spain vs. Austria) |
| Qatar 2022 Base | $70,000 | Previous tournament benchmark |
Spain and Austria will face off at SoFi Stadium this Thursday. Following the match, the winners will advance to the next stage of the bracket as the tournament moves closer to the final on July 19.
Do you think the increased pay for referees will lead to better decision-making in high-stakes matches? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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