The wait is almost over. Fifa’s World Cup 2026 wallchart is now available for download, giving fans the chance to study fixtures and track results as the tournament draws nearer. But behind the scenes, the officials selected to take charge of football’s showpiece are in line for a record payday – and England’s top referees are among those who stand to benefit most.
Each referee at the World Cup will earn $100,000 (£75,000) for the tournament, around double what they received in 2014. Fifa said it wanted the best officials in the world at this summer’s competition. England’s Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have both been selected, putting them in line for a significant bonus on top of their domestic earnings. If either is chosen for the final – which takes place on 19 July – they could receive even larger bonuses, though they can only be appointed if England do not reach the showpiece.
“World Cup 2026 referees will earn $100,000 each; England’s Oliver and Taylor selected, with bonuses for the final if England do not reach it.”
Oliver and Taylor have already earned around £250,000 this season from Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League matches. By comparison, the average Premier League referee earns between £170,000 and £180,000 in match fees and bonuses, with base salaries ranging from £72,000 to £148,000 depending on experience. Even junior referees in the top flight’s Select One category can earn around £125,000 a year.
Also heading to the World Cup is Jarred Gillett, a Premier League official who will work as a specialist VAR. He joins Oliver and Taylor among the English contingent selected by Fifa.
This year’s tournament will see several new rules and VAR protocols. For the first time, VARs will have the power to change a decision on a corner if it was wrongly awarded, and to review sendings-off caused by a second yellow card. They can also intervene to disallow a goal for a foul by the attacker before the ball is in play. There is a crackdown on time-wasting: substitutes must leave the pitch within ten seconds, and players who go off for treatment will have to stay off for a full minute.
As fans download their wallcharts and begin to plan their schedules, the officials preparing to enforce those new rules know that a strong performance could bring both prestige and a substantial financial reward.