Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Moscow: Argentina's Nestor Pitana will referee the opening 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia match on Thursday when hosts Russia play Saudi Arabia, FIFA has announced.
The 42-year-old, who officiated during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, will be in charge for the Group A match at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
The Argentine will be assisted by compatriots Juan Pablo Belatti and Hernan Maidana, with Sandro Ricci from Brazil designated as the fourth official.
With the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system making its FIFA World Cup debut, Italy's Massimiliano Irrati is the designated VAR official in Moscow.
The match will be historic for Asia as it is the first time in FIFA World Cup history that a team from the Continent will be featuring in the opening match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Decorated referee Ravshan Irmatov will be making his third appearance in the FIFA World Cup.
In an exclusive interview, Irmatov shares with the-AFC.com his dream - to see an Asian referee appointed to the final of the World Cup.
Who is Ravshan Irmatov?
Widely regarded as one of the best match officials in world refereeing, Irmatov is a five-time AFC Referee of the Year (2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008) and has won the Uzbekistan Referee of the Year 10 times in a row from 2006 to 2015.
In 2017, Irmatov took charge of the AFC Champions League final for the fifth time in his illustrious career after the 2015, 2013, 2011 and 2007 finals. Other notable highlights include his appointments at the 2017 and 2008 FIFA Club World Cups, the 2015 and 2011 editions of the AFC Asian Cup, and the 2012 Olympic Games Football Tournament.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Alireza Faghani says Asian referees will walk tall in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
In an exclusive interview with the-AFC.com, the experienced Faghani reveals what it takes to reach the biggest stage in football.
Who is Alireza Faghani?
Islamic Republic of Iran's Alireza Faghani needs no introduction in the world of football. He has taken charge of a number of high-profile games in Asia and is up there among the best in the world.
In his impressive career, the 40-year-old has officiated finals of the 2014 AFC Champions League, 2015 AFC Asian Cup, 2015 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Football Tournament.
Faghani started his career in 1994 and became a FIFA referee in 2008. By 2009 he become an elite referee and went on to build his career by officiating in the AFC Cup, AFC Champions League and two years later, participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as a support referee.
The 2016 AFC Referee of the Year built on the experience and officiated in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final and was also tasked with the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Asian play-off match between Syria and Australia.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Nawaf Abdulla Shukralla hopes to repay the faith after being selected for the second time for the FIFA World Cup.
the-AFC.com finds out what makes the Bahraini official - as one of the 36 referees selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - tick in an exclusive interview.
Who is Nawaf Abdulla Shukralla?
Nawaf Abdulla Shukralla arrived on the refereeing scene in 1997 and has been officiating FIFA matches since 2008. In 2011, he was selected to officiate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup where he oversaw the high-profile Round of 16 tie between England and Argentina.