Referees at the FIFA World Cup 2026 are reported to earn around $100,000 just for taking part, with separate match fees and big bonuses on top for officials who reach the latter stages, according to reporting in The Times.
That headline figure is a participation fee, a flat amount paid for being selected, whether you officiate one match or several. Per-match fees and knockout bonuses are paid on top of it.
One important caveat up front: FIFA does not publish an official referee pay table. The figures below come from credible reporting on this and past tournaments, not from an official FIFA fee schedule.
The referee’s salary per match (per game)
Per-match fees rise the deeper a referee goes into the tournament, so a knockout game pays far more than a group game.
The most recent confirmed benchmark is from the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, where main referees were paid around $3,000 per match on top of their base fee.
That per-match fee is confirmed by Goal’s breakdown of 2018 referee pay too.
For 2026, reporting estimates group-stage match fees of roughly $3,000–$5,000, rising to as much as $10,000 for knockout matches, though these figures are not confirmed by FIFA.
The referee’s salary for the whole tournament
Total earnings depend on how many matches you officiate and how far you progress.
A referee who reaches the final therefore earns far more than one who exits after the group stage.
At the 2018 World Cup, the main referee’s participation fee was around $70,000.
Adding match fees pushed busy referees well above that, and the 2022 structure was broadly similar.
For 2026, officials chosen for the showpiece games stand to earn the most. The referee for the World Cup final near New York collects the largest single payday.
The semifinal officials in Dallas and Atlanta are next in line for the biggest bonuses.
With the participation fee reported at around $100,000 before match fees and bonuses, the top 2026 earners stand to clear far more.
Reporting suggests total earnings for the highest-performing officials could approach $300,000 once match fees and final-stage bonuses are added.
Exact total figures are not confirmed by FIFA, so treat any single headline number as an estimate.
FIFA also covers travel, accommodation, meals and daily allowances for all officials, so the pay figures sit on top of fully funded participation.
What assistant referees and VAR officials earn
Assistant referees earn less than the main referee; a flat tournament fee of around $25,000 plus a smaller per-match payment.
At recent World Cups, assistant referees received about $2,000 per game on top of the base fee.
The 88 assistants and 30 video match officials at the 2026 tournament are appointed separately from the on-field referees. Some referees also take VAR shifts on their off days.
How 2026 pay compares to past World Cups
Referee pay has climbed steadily across recent tournaments, roughly doubling since 2014.
| Tournament | Main referee fee (reported) | Per-match fee |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Brazil | ~$50,000 total | Included in total |
| 2018 Russia | ~$70,000 base | ~$3,000 per game |
| 2022 Qatar | ~$70,000 base | ~$3,000 per game + bonuses |
| 2026 USA/Canada/Mexico | ~$100,000 participation fee | Reported est. ~$3,000–$10,000 |
The 2026 rise tracks FIFA’s larger overall payouts for the first 48-team World Cup, as The Times reported.
For context, top Premier League referees earn an average of around £170,000–£180,000 a year, so a strong World Cup run can add a meaningful chunk to an elite official’s annual income.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does FIFA officially publish how much referees earn?
No. FIFA does not release an official referee fee schedule, so all figures come from media reporting on this and past tournaments.
Do referees get paid more for knockout matches?
Yes. On top of the per-match fee — around $3,000 at recent tournaments — officials trusted with the knockout rounds and final earn significant performance bonuses, which is where the biggest paydays come from.
Who earns the most among World Cup officials?
The referee appointed to the final, since that official banks the participation fee plus the highest knockout and final bonuses. With the participation fee reported at around $100,000 before match fees and bonuses, reporting suggests the top earners can clear far more — potentially approaching $300,000.
Do assistant referees earn the same as the main referee?
No. Assistant referees receive a lower base fee of around $25,000 plus roughly $2,000 per match, less than the main referee.
Sources
- The Independent / Yahoo Sports — How Much Will Referees Get Paid for the World Cup? (citing The Times)
- NBC New York — How Much Will World Cup Referees Make in Qatar?
- Goal — Who Are the World Cup Referees and How Much Are They Paid?
- FIFA — Match Officials Appointed for FIFA World Cup 2026
- FIFA — Final List of Match Officials, FIFA World Cup 2026
- Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup Final (venue and date)
- Wego Travel Blog — FIFA World Cup 2026 Referees: The Full List of Match Officials and New Rules
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