The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious and watched sporting event on the planet, drawing billions of fans from every corner of the globe. While players often take centre stage, it's the men in the middle, the referees, who ensure fair play and uphold the integrity of the game. In this article, we'll take a journey through time and pay tribute to the referees who have officiated FIFA World Cup final matches, from the tournament's inception to the present day.

Uruguay 1930: John Langenus

John Langenus, a Belgian referee, officiated the 1930 FIFA World Cup final between Uruguay and Argentina in Montevideo. This match was not only the first-ever World Cup final but also a significant moment in football history. Langenus’ role was crucial in managing the high-stakes game between two fierce South American rivals. Uruguay’s 4-2 victory on home soil set the stage for the quadrennial event that would grow to become the world’s most-watched sporting spectacle. Langenus’ appointment and performance in this historic match helped establish standards for refereeing at the highest level of international football. 

Italy 1934: Ivan Eklind

Swedish referee Ivan Eklind officiated the highly controversial 1934 FIFA World Cup final which was held in Rome. This match was controversial due to allegations of bias, with Eklind being accused of favouring the host nation Italy, who won 2-1 in extra time. Eklind’s performance became a subject of debate, raising questions about the influence of politics on football. This match and its officiating would go on to influence discussions about fair play and neutrality in international football for years to come.

France 1938: Georges Capdeville

In 1938, Georges Capdeville was entrusted with the responsibility of officiating the World Cup Final between Italy and Hungary in Paris. This match was significant as it saw Italy become the first team to successfully defend their World Cup title, winning 4-2. Capdeville’s appointment was notable as he was the first French referee to oversee a World Cup final, and had the privilege to do so in his home country.

Brazil 1950: George Reader (England)

The 1950 World Cup in Brazil was a tournament of great significance because it was the first tournament in over 12 years! George Reader, an English referee oversaw this match. While not technically a final, this game determined the tournament winner due to the unique round-robin format used that year. The match, known as the “Maracanazo”, saw Uruguay upset host nation Brazil 2-1 in one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. Raeder’s role was crucial in managing the intense atmosphere of the packed Maracanã, with an estimated 200,000 spectators present.

Switzerland 1954: William Ling

William Ling, an English referee, officiated the 1954 FIFA World Cup final between West Germany and Hungary in Bern, Switzerland. This match, known as the “Miracle of Bern”, is considered one of the most dramatic finals in World Cup history. Hungary, the overwhelming favourites, were stunned by West Germany in a 3-2 upset. Ling’s role was crucial in managing a game that saw several controversial moments, including a disputed German equaliser. This final is often regarded as a turning point in football tactics and remains one of the most discussed World Cup finals. 

Sweden 1958: Maurice Guigue

The 1958 World Cup final, between Brazil and Sweden in Stockholm, was officiated by French referee Maurice Guigue. This match marked a significant moment in football history as it saw the emergence of Brazil as a dominant force in international football, with their 5-2 victory securing their first World Cup title. The game is particularly remembered for the performance of 17-year-old Pelé, who scored twice and announced himself on the world stage. 

Chile 1962: Nikolay Latyshev

Nikolay Latyshev’s appointment to referee this match was historic, as he became the first referee from Eastern Europe to officiate a World Cup final, reflecting the growing global nature of the tournament. The match itself was notable as it saw Brazil retain their World Cup title, winning 3-1 against Czechoslovakia. Latyshev’s handling of the game, which included some physical play, helped maintain order in a tense and high-stakes environment.

England 1966: Gottfried Dienst

The Swiss referee, Gottfried Dienst, officiated the 1966 World CUp final between England and West Germany at Wembley Stadium in London. This match is one of the most famous and controversial in World Cup history, largely due to Geoff Hurst’s contentious second goal for England. Dienst’s critical decision to award the goal, after consulting with Soviet linesman Tofiq Bahramov, remains a subject of debate to this day. The goal, which gave England a 3-2 lead in extra time, is often referred to as the “Wembley Goal''. England went on to win 4-2, securing their first and only World Cup title. Dienst’s role was a pivotal moment that highlights the challenges of officiating in an era before video technology. The match’s significance extends beyond controversy, as it represented England’s finest hour in international football and sparked ongoing discussions about goal-line technology and officiating in crucial games. 

Mexico 1970: Rudi Glöckner

Rudi Glöckner, an East German referee, officiated the 1970 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Italy at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This final, between Brazil and Italy, marked the first time that two former world champions met in a final. The match itself was a showcase of attacking football, with Brazil winning 4-1 to claim their third World Cup title. This victory allowed Brazil to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. Glöckner’s handling of the game, which flowed freely and saw minimal controversy, contributed to its status as a classic final.

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West Germany 1974: Jack Taylor

English referee Jack Taylor made history in this final by awarding the first-ever penalty in a World Cup final, to the Netherlands in the second minute. He later awarded another penalty to West Germany, demonstrating his confident decision-making in a high-pressure environment. The match, which West Germany won 2-1, marked the emergence of German football as a dominant force. Taylor’s firm but fair officiating was widely praised, enhancing the reputation of English referees on the world stage. This final is remembered not only for its tactical intrigue but also for Taylor’s composed handling of a tense and significant match.

Argentina 1978: Sergio Gonella

Sergio Gonella, an Italian referee, officiated the highly controversial 1978 World Cup final between Argentina and the Netherlands in Buenos Aires. This match was notable for several reasons, not least because it saw Argentina claim their first World Cup title with a 3-1 victory after extra time. Gonella faced the challenge of managing a tense and physical game, with accusations of gamesmanship and intimidation tactics. His performance was generally well-regarded, though the match remains contentious in football history. The final marked the second consecutive defeat for the Dutch team and established Argentina as a major force in world football, despite the political cloud hanging over their triumph. 

Spain 1982: Arnaldo Cézar Coelho

Brazilian referee, Arnaldo Cézar Coelho, officiated the 1982 final, making history as the first referee from outside of Europe to oversee a World Cup final. The match marked Italy’s third World Cup triumph, winning 3-1 in a game that showcased their effective counter-attacking style. Coelho’s calm and authoritative handling of the match contributed to a relatively controversy-free final, allowing the focus to remain on the high-quality football displayed by both teams. Coelho’s role highlighted the growing global nature of football officiating at the highest level. 

Mexico 1986: Romualdo Arppi Filho

Romualdo Arppi Filho, a Brazilian referee, officiated the 1986 final between Argentina and West Germany at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This match was significant as it saw Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, claim their second World Cup title with a 3-2 victory. Arppi Filho’s handling of the game was generally praised, as he managed to control a high-stakes match between two highfliers. This final is remembered for solidifying Maradona’s status as one of the greatest players in history, having led Argentina to victory throughout the tournament.

Italy 1990: Edgardo Codesal Méndez

Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal Méndez officiated the 1990 finals between West Germany and Argentina in Rome. Notably one of the most ill-tempered finals in World Cup history, this game was marred by rough play, with Argentina having two players, Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti, sent off - the first time this had happened in a World Cup final. Codesal Méndez’s performance became a focal point of debate due to his decision to award a penalty to West Germany in the 85th minute, which decided the match 1-0. 

Do you know when and why to send a player off? Check out our article “When to Give a Red or Yellow Card in Football” for the ins and outs of card-giving and factors to consider when making your decision.

United States 1994: Sándor Puhl

Sándor Puhl, a Hungarian referee, officiated the 1994 finals in Pasadena, California. This match, between Brazil and Italy, was a landmark final as it was the first World Cup final to be decided by a penalty shootout, with Brazil winning 3-2 after a goalless draw in regular and extra time. Puhl’s appointment was notable as he was widely regarded as one of the best referees of his era. This match itself was tense and tactical, with control in a high-pressure situation, especially during the unprecedented penalty shootout.

France 1998: Said Belqola

Moroccan referee, Said Belqola, made history as the first African referee to oversee a World Cup final. The match saw host nation France claim their first World Cup title with a convincing 3-0 victory over defending champions Brazil. Belqola’s performance was generally praised for its consistency and control, allowing the match to flow without major controversy. This final is remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s two headed goals and for marking the emergence of France as a football superpower. Belqola’s role in this final represented a milestone for African football and officiating on the global stage.

South Korea/Japan 2002: Pierluigi Collina

Widely regarded as one of the best referees in football history, Pierluigi Collina officiated the 2002 finals held in Yokohama, Japan. Collina’s appointment was seen as a fitting choice for such a high-profile match, given his reputation for fairness, authority, and clear communication on the field. The final marked Brazil’s record fifth World Cup title, with their 2-0 victory featuring two goals from the man of the match, Ronaldo. Collina’s performance in the final was characteristically assured, contributing to a smoothly run game. His presence added to the historic nature of the event, as many considered him the world’s best referee officiating one of the most anticipated finals in recent memory. 

To learn more about Collina’s prestigious refereeing career, check out our article here.

Germany 2006: Horacio Elizondo

Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo made history by becoming the first referee to both open and close a World Cup tournament, having also officiated the opening match. The final saw Italy win their fourth World Cup title after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. However, the match is most famously remembered for Elizondo’s decision to send off French captain Zinedine Zidane in extra time for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi. This incident, occurring in Zidane’s final professional match, became one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history. Elizondo’s handling of this high-pressure situation demonstrated the importance of decisive refereeing in crucial moments. The match and its officiating sparked global discussions about sportsmanship, provocation, and the challenges of maintaining control in high-stakes games.

South Africa 2010: Howard Webb

Iconic English referee Howard Webb officiated the 2010 World Cup hosted in Johannesburg. With Spain ultimately securing their first title with a 1-0 victory in extra time, Webb’s performance became a major talking point due to the extremely physical and contentious nature of the game. He issued a record 14 yellow cards and one red card, reflecting the match’s intense and often brutal play. The match is often remembered as much for its rough play as for Spain’s historic victory. Webb’s challenging experience highlighted the immense pressure on referees in high-stakes games and sparked discussion about the level of physicality allowed in top-level football. 

Read more about Webb’s uncompromising composure and expert decision-making in our article here. 

Brazil 2014: Nicola Rizzoli

Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli officiated the final held at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro between Germany and Argentina. This match saw Germany claim their fourth World Cup title with a 1-0 victory in extra time. The match was tense and closely fought, with Mario Götze scoring the winning goal in the 113th minute. Rizzoli’s appointment continued the tradition of having a top-class referee for the final, as he was widely regarded as one of the best officials of his generation.

Russia 2018: Néstor Pitana

Argentine referee Néstor Pitana officiated the final hosted in Moscow, Russia, between France and Croatia. This match saw France claim their second World Cup title with a 4-2 victory, making it the highest-scoring final since 1966. Pitana’s performance became a talking point due to his use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to award a controversial penalty to France for a handball. This was the first time VAR had been used to award a penalty in a World Cup final, highlighting the growing influence of technology in football. The match was also memorable for featuring the youngest goalscorer in a World Cup final since Péle (Kylian Mbappé) and the first own goal in a final.

Qatar 2022: Szymon Marciniak

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak officiated, arguably, one of the finest World Cup finals in football history. This match was widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup finals in history, ending in a dramatic 3-3 draw at extra time, with Argentina winning 4-2 on penalties. Marciniak’s performance was highly praised for his composure and decision-making in an intensely competitive and high-stakes game. He managed the match well, including the correct application of the advantage rule for Argentina’s third goal. The final was particularly notable for the battle between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, with both players scoring multiple goals. This match marked Messi’s first World Cup victory, cementing his legacy in football history, while also showcasing Mbappé’s emergence as a global superstar. Marciniak’s assured handling of this epic contest added to the match’s status as an instant classic in World Cup lore.

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Conclusion

The FIFA World Cup final referees have played a vital role in upholding the spirit of the game, ensuring fair play, and maintaining the integrity of the tournament. These individuals have navigated high-pressure situations with poise and precision, contributing to the history of the world's most-watched sporting event. Their names and legacies are forever etched in football history, a testament to their dedication and professionalism.

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