2026 World Cup / refereeing: "Nobody can question the integrity of match officials" (P. Collina, FIFA)

"Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport. Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right," Pierluigi Collina, chief refereeing officer at FIFA and chairman of the FIFA referees committee, said in an interview published on the international federation’s website on 9 July 2026.

The Italian responds to criticism levelled at certain refereeing decisions, notably during Paraguay - France (0-1) on 4 July and, in particular, Argentina - Egypt (3-2) on 7 July, two matches in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The decision to appoint a French referee…