FIFA’s biggest stage meets its most consistent referee as fans push for Faghani to officiate World Cup final

Alireza Faghani just officiated the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, where Chelsea dispatched PSG 3-0, and the football world responded with something referees almost never get: applause. Now experts and fans are calling for FIFA to hand him the whistle for the 2026 World Cup final.

Four World Cups and counting

Faghani, born March 21, 1978, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2008. He’s one of the first match officials in history to officiate at four consecutive FIFA World Cups: 2014 in Brazil, 2018 in Russia, 2022 in Qatar, and now 2026 in the US, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has personally acknowledged that distinction.

Since affiliating with Football Australia in 2023, Faghani’s appointment to the Club World Cup final on December 22, 2025, was the latest proof point. Chelsea’s clean 3-0 victory over PSG unfolded without major officiating controversy.

He’s already been assigned to officiate multiple matches in the 2026 World Cup, including the round of 16 clash between Mexico and England set for July 2026.

The case for the final

Faghani started at Brazil 2014, progressed through Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, and has now been entrusted with a Club World Cup final and a high-profile knockout round match. FIFA’s Referees Committee typically announces the final referee assignment just days before the match, weighing performance throughout the tournament, neutrality requirements, and political considerations. Faghani’s Australian affiliation helps on the neutrality front, since Australia has never reached a World Cup final and is unlikely to in 2026.

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