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What it takes to be chosen as a World Cup referee – and how to ref the final
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 3, 2026
· 9 min read
By Reagan Yip, CNN
(CNN) — As 48 nations battle for World Cup glory, another group has endured a similarly grueling path to soccer’s biggest stage: the referees.
This year, 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees (VARs) have been selected. The 170-strong contingent ...
Key takeaway The 170-strong contingent is the largest in World Cup history, with the expanded format now featuring a record 48 teams and 104 matches.
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Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 9 min
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What is this story about? By Reagan Yip, CNN
(CNN) — As 48 nations battle for World Cup glory, another group has endured a similarly grueling path to soccer’s biggest stage: the referees.
This year, 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees (VARs) have been selected. The 170-strong contingent ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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