The referees and assistant referees for this year's World Cup football matches will come to Japan and South Korea from all corners of the world, just like the participating teams. These individuals may be less known compared to the players who will be under the global spotlight in 20 super-modern stadiums throughout the tournament, but their presence in the final stages of the competition is undoubtedly of equal importance. The list of referees and assistant referees for the 36 matches of the first round of the World Cup was published today by FIFA. The referee for the opening match of the World Cup between the defending champion France and Senegal on Friday, May 31, is Mohammed Bouchaib from the United Arab Emirates, and anyone who has followed his officiating history knows that Bouchaib is one of the best official referees of FIFA.
Publication of World Cup Referees List - 2002-05-25
FIFA has released the list of referees and assistant referees for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Mohammed Bouchaib from the UAE will officiate the opening match between France and Senegal. The significance of these referees is highlighted despite their lesser fame compared to the players.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
FIFA announced referees for World Cup matches in Japan and South Korea, highlighting their importance.
- FIFA announce referees and assistant referees
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Referees play a crucial role in the integrity of the World Cup.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%