January 9 – While the jury is out on how good the US men’s team might be at the 2026 World Cup, the country’s referees are making an impact internationally. U.S. Soccer has confirmed a record 47 match officials have been appointed to the 2026 FIFA International Panel, following nominations by the Federation’s Referee Committee.
Those appointments account for 53 FIFA badges across refereeing, assistant refereeing, video match officials, futsal, and beach soccer.
“This record number of appointments is a direct reflection of the quality, professionalism, and consistency of U.S. Soccer referees across every discipline,” said Kari Seitz, U.S. Soccer Vice President of Refereeing.
“Our referees consistently deliver at the highest level, and that reputation allows the United States to continue expanding its presence on the global stage. Great soccer depends on great referees, and this group exemplifies the very best of our program.”
The 2026 panel includes 16 Referees, 20 Assistant Referees, 11 Video Match Officials, four Futsal Referees, and two Beach Soccer Referees, all eligible to represent the U.S. at the highest international levels. New additions include referee Rosendo Mendoza, video match official Jose Carlos Rivero, Futsal referees Servando Berna and Drew Klemp, and Beach Soccer referees Vince Apple-Chiarella and Conrado Garcia.
The appointments of Apple-Chiarella and Garcia mark the first time U.S. Soccer has beach soccer referees on the FIFA Panel. Berna and Klemp’s inclusion brings US futsal representation to a federation-record four officials. Notably, six of the 11 video match officials also hold FIFA badges as referees or assistant referees, underscoring the depth and versatility of the US pool.
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