Zurich: The FIFA Referees Committee has revealed the match officials designated to oversee the games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, scheduled to occur from 27 September to 19 October. A total of 54 match officials, comprising 18 referees and 36 assistant referees from 22 FIFA Member Associations, are prepared to officiate the matches.
“In light of the successful FIFA Club World Cup, we eagerly anticipate another thrilling tournament, for which we have once again selected a robust Team One line-up. From a refereeing standpoint, it is crucial that the officials have the chance to participate in a tournament showcasing the stars of tomorrow, and for us to conduct further evaluations of Football Video Support (FVS), which has proven to be highly effective thus far,” stated Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee.
The implementation of Football Video Support (FVS) at this tournament builds upon the trials conducted last year during the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
The FVS trials were initiated in response to numerous requests from member associations seeking an alternative, cost-efficient method of utilizing technology to assist match officials. Unlike the video assistant referee (VAR) system, FVS does not employ dedicated video match officials and thus does not review all incidents that could change the outcome of the match. Instead, the responsibility lies with the respective head coaches, who are permitted to make a limited number of review requests per game when they believe a clear and obvious error has occurred in match-altering situations, such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents, or cases of mistaken identity. Additionally, players may also suggest to their coaches that a review be requested.
“Chile is a football-loving country, and we have an excellent opportunity to ensure that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup leaves a legacy on a refereeing level. The (FIFA) U-20 World Cup is a highly competitive tournament that requires officials to have a sound reading of the game,” noted FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.
