Referee Mariani and VAR Di Bello represent Italy at 2026 World Cup

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 10: Referee Maurizio Mariani gestures throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)

Italy may have some extra illustration on the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, as a result of referee Maurizio Mariani and VAR Marco Di Bello are amongst these officiating.

The Azzurri didn’t qualify for the third version of the World Cup in a row, though there’ll nonetheless be some Italian curiosity within the event.

That features Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, Turkiye boss Vincenzo Montella, and Uzbekistan supervisor Fabio Cannavaro.

Italian referee Mariani at 2026 World Cup

In the meantime, referee Mariani has been chosen from the Italian number of officers to be a part of the choice.

Di Bello has additionally been included, however he can be within the position of VMO, which means he’ll be within the VAR sales space and never on the sector.

Assistant referees Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni are going to the World Cup too.

There are 52 referees in whole who can be concerned within the event, which is larger than ever with over 100 video games being performed in three nations.

This consists of 15 officers from Europe chosen by one other Italian, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina.

“This yr’s FIFA World Cup would be the greatest in historical past, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be contested throughout probably the most in depth geographical footprint within the event’s historical past,” stated Collina.

“It’ll be the most important FIFA Workforce One ever, with 41 extra match officers than at Qatar 2022. Every of them should be able to be appointed for a match and to contribute actively to making sure that the refereeing on the World Cup is successful.

“The truth that six girls match officers have been chosen continues a pattern that was began 4 years in the past in Qatar as we goal to additional develop girls’s refereeing.”

The group of officers will meet in Miami for a 10-day preparation seminar beginning Could 31, then the VAR group will relocate to Dallas.

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