What experience do they have and where are the English officials? The lowdown on World Cup referees

  • The standard of refereeing at the Women's World Cup has come under fire
  • How do you become a referee at the World Cup, and will men be let in now?
  • Sportsmail gives you everything you need to know about World Cup refereesĀ 

The Women's World Cup match between Cameroon and England was filled with controversy, as the Cameroon players reacted poorly to several decisions made by the referee.

The quality of refereeing in the women's game has now come into question, with calls for men to be included in the next World Cup.

So, how do you become a referee at the highest level, and why are there no English officials involved at the tournament? Sportsmail gives you the lowdown.Ā 

The standard of refereeing in the women's game has come under fire after Sunday's match

The standard of refereeing in the women's game has come under fire after Sunday's match

The referee appeared to lose control of players in the game between Cameroon and England

The referee appeared to lose control of players in the game between Cameroon and England

How do you become a ref at the World Cup?Ā 


Get nominated as an 'elite referee' by your federation ā€” even if that means you have run low-standard domestic women's games in front of a few hundred people. For FIFA, inclusion is all: 24 teams of referees/assistants are here representing all six FIFA confederations.

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Any chance men will be let in now?Ā 

Doesn't look like it. Asked by Sportsmail if England v Cameroon might spark a review, a FIFA spokesman said: 'The referee's decisions were all correct applying the laws and the VAR protocol. There is no need for such an action.'

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What experience have the tournament refs been given to prepare them?Ā 

Youth and domestic competitions in Qatar and roles at the Under 17 and Under 20 World Cups. Not quite the same as a Cameroon side feeling a burning injustice.

Will the incidents in the match between Cameroon and England cause refereeing changes?

Will the incidents in the match between Cameroon and England cause refereeing changes?

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Why are there no English refs at the World Cup?Ā 

None are considered experienced enough by UEFA because none have managed to break through as refs in professional men's leagues. Sian Massey is still a specialist at running the line.Ā 

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Doesn't the newly professional Women's Super League help?Ā 

Debatable. Some officiate in front of decent crowds but they are semi-professional, have no VAR experience and can't hit the right fitness levels. One is juggling the job with an NHS career. FA head of women's refereeing Jo Stimpson says refereeing has failed to keep pace with the development of the English game: 'The sooner we can have a full-time group of referees in the Women's Super League the better.'Ā 

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Couldn't men and women work together?Ā 

Yes, of course. 'In the VAR rooms, you are seeing men and women,' says ex-England star Faye White. 'So we are kind of already seeing that (mixing of genders).'Ā Ā 

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