Calgary referee Drew Fischer picked for FIFA World Cup officiating roster
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Calgary referee Drew Fischer will work the FIFA World Cup after being named Thursday to the tournament’s list of match officials.
FIFA selected 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials from 50 member associations for the expanded event.
Assistant referees Micheal Barwegen of Coaldale, Alta., and Lyes Arfa of Laval, Que., were also named, giving Canada three officials at the tournament.
The appointments, drawn from all six confederations, include 41 more officials than the 2022 tournament in Qatar and follow a three-year evaluation process based on performance at domestic and international levels. Six women match officials were also selected, matching the 2022 total.
Fischer, 45, is a two-time Major League Soccer referee of the year and has worked more than 200 MLS matches since his debut in 2012.
He served as a video assistant referee at the World Cup in Qatar, including the semifinal, and has also worked as a VAR at the women’s World Cup and Club World Cup, and as an on-field and video official at the Olympic Games.
Match officials will report to a pre-tournament seminar in Miami beginning May 31, with video officials based in Dallas at the International Broadcast Centre during the competition.
As in previous tournaments, goal-line technology and an advanced version of semi-automated offside will be used, along with connected ball technology and referee body cameras that will provide new on-field perspectives.
“For the first time in World Cup history, fans will be able to see things from the referee’s on-field perspective,” FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina said.
The World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City and Guadalajara, with matches also played in the United States and Canada.
Toronto will host six matches at the tournament, with Vancouver staging seven.
The Canadian men’s team opens the tournament June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina before facing Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 9, 2026.