Spanish referee Olatz Rivera has been selected by FIFA to officiate at the upcoming men’s Under-17 World Cup. It marks another milestone in a year for the Basque official following her recent promotion to Segunda División.
Spanish Referee Olatz Rivera Lands Men’s Under-17 World Cup Slot
The global competition takes place from November 19 to December 16.
Breaking Barriers with an All-Spanish Trio
FIFA announced the official referee selections for the men’s youth tournament, featuring a Spanish contingent led by Rivera.
She will travel alongside assistant referees Eliana Fernández González and Iragartze Fernández Esesúmaga. They form one of only two female refereeing trios chosen for the global competition, alongside a Brazilian crew headed by Daiane Muniz.
Pierluigi Collina, director of the FIFA Refereeing Division and chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, weighed in on the selections. He stated that the chosen officials demonstrated an exceptionally high degree of quality and uniformity, describing them as the most promising referees from their respective federations.
A Rapid Domestic Ascent to Spain’s Segunda División
The appointment highlights what FIFA describes as an ongoing commitment to providing top female officials with opportunities at the highest levels of international men’s football.
For Rivera, the international recognition arrives on the heels of a rapid domestic ascent. On August 16, she debuted as a referee in Spain’s Segunda División, working the fixture between Las Palmas and Albacete Balompié alongside assistant Iragartze Fernández.
Rivera’s career trajectory has accelerated significantly since her top-flight debut in domestic competition in 2017.
Last season, the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) selected her to officiate the Copa de la Reina final between Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid. That honor came shortly after she handled a high-profile league clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid in March. She also holds a place in the elite tier of UEFA officiating.
Building a Global Portfolio of Elite Final Assignments
Her international portfolio includes high-stakes assignments from the past year. In November, FIFA appointed her to referee the final of the women’s Under-17 World Cup between South Korea and the Netherlands.
That assignment followed her summer debut at a Eurocopa. There, she handled a group-stage match between Poland and Denmark on June 12, 2025, in addition to serving as a fourth official in other tournament fixtures.
Innovative Video Review Rules
The men’s Under-17 World Cup will maintain the video review structure utilized in the 2025 edition rather than a traditional VAR team.
As detailed in tournament operational notes, the system permits head coaches to directly request a limited number of video reviews throughout the course of a match, altering how disputed decisions are challenged on the pitch.
Keep reading
