Circular 1945 2026 FIFA Refereeing International Lists

TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA Circular no. 1945

Zurich, 12 September 2025

2026 FIFA Refereeing International Lists

Dear Sir or Madam,

FIFA would hereby like to invite you to nominate match officials for the 2026 FIFA Refereeing International Lists.

A unique link for the online registration process has been created for each Member Association and is included in the email accompanying this circular.

The deadline to nominate international match officials for the upcoming year is as follows:

5 October 2025

We enclose the updated Regulations on the Nomination and Appointment of FIFA International Match Officials for your convenience. We would also like to bring the following points to your attention:

1. The proposed referees must have been born on or before 31 December 2000 and assistant referees must have been born on or before 31 December 2002 in order to ensure a minimum level of experience. FIFA reserves the right to require proposed match officials who will be over the age of 45 next year (born in 1981 or before) to undergo additional technical assessments, as well as specific medical examinations and fitness testing on a case-by-case basis.

2. Each candidate must be ranked based on the marks obtained for officiating games at national level during the 12 months prior to being nominated to the list of international referees. Please do not put the nominees in alphabetical order.

3. The proposed match officials must have regularly officiated matches at the highest level in their Member Association for at least two years.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA-Strasse 20 P.O. Box 8044 Zurich Switzerland T: +41 (0)43 222 7777 www.FIFA.com
4. All nominated match officials (except video match officials) must at least have passed a FIFA-approved fitness test and a medical examination on or after 1 June 2025.

Please note that all match official roles are gender-neutral, and that any qualified individual can be nominated. Individuals who wish to be considered for referee or assistant referee appointments in men’s football matches must pass the relevant men’s football fitness test, and the same applies for futsal and beach soccer. Please also note that we have recently introduced an additional fitness standard for women referees officiating in women’s futsal and beach soccer only: the relevant times can be found in the FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials document, which is enclosed.

The FIFA Referees Committee will carefully consider all nominations submitted by each Member Association before deciding who will be named in the upcoming international lists.

If you have any questions, please contact Patrick Graf, Head of Refereeing Administration, at refereeing@fifa.org.

We appreciate your continued support for refereeing at all levels and look forward to working together with you.

Yours faithfully,

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Mattias Grafström Secretary General

Encl.: - Regulations on the Nomination and Appointment of FIFA International Match Officials
- FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials

cc: - FIFA Council
- Confederations
- FIFA Referees Committee
- Refereeing Development Officers

2 Regulations on the Nomination and Appointment of FIFA International Match Officials  3

TABLE OF CONTENTS DEFINITIONS4

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 6
1. Introduction 7
2. Scope of application 7

II. REGULATIONS8
3. Effective dates 9
4. Compliance 9
5. Nomination deadline 9
6. Nomination conditions 9
7. Changing roles 10
8. Conflicts of interest 11
9. Validation of nominations 11
10. Allotments 11
11. Badges 11
12. Expectations of behaviour 11
13. Suspension and removal requests by a Member Association 12
14. Suspensions and removals by the FIFA Referees Committee 12

Fédération Internationale de Football Association III.

Table of contents President: Gianni Infantino Secretary General: Fatma Samoura Address: FIFA FINAL PROVISIONS 13 FIFA-Strasse 20 15. Final approval 14
P.O. Box 8044 Zurich 16. Appeals 14 Switzerland 17. Official languages 14  Tel.: +41 (0)43 222 7777 Website: FIFA.com 18. Enforcement 14  5

For the purpose of these regulations, the terms set out in the Regulations on the Organisation of Refereeing in FIFA Member Associations apply. Additionally, definitions of terms listed in the Laws of the Game issued by The International Football Association Board are also applicable to these regulations.

NB: Terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice versa.

Definitions

Definitions   7

I.
1. INTRODUCTION These regulations describe the eligibility of and the process for nominating and appointing match officials to the FIFA Refereeing International Lists.

2. SCOPE OF APPLICATION These regulations apply to all match officials appointed to the FIFA Refereeing International Lists, including referees, assistant referees, video match officials, futsal referees, beach soccer referees and any other individuals eligible to officiate or assist in officiating at international matches.

General provisions

General provisions
I.  9

II.
3. EFFECTIVE DATES Each year, FIFA publishes the lists of match officials who are eligible to officiate at international matches. These lists come into effect on 1 January and are valid until 31 December of the same year.

4. COMPLIANCE The FIFA Referees Committee shall draw up the FIFA Refereeing International Lists in compliance with the articles of the FIFA Statutes.

5. NOMINATION DEADLINE Each year, FIFA Refereeing shall request all Member Associations to nominate candidates whom they consider qualified to act as an international match official. The deadline to nominate these candidates for each upcoming year is 1 October.

6. NOMINATION CONDITIONS
1. Lists of candidates including both women and men shall be compiled for all of the following:

a) Referees

b) Assistant referees

c) Video match officials (VMOs)

d) Futsal referees

e) Beach soccer referees

Regulations 2. When nominating a candidate, Member Associations shall observe the following conditions:

a) Candidates may be nominated for only one list, except for VMOs, who can also be referees or assistant referees.

b) Member Associations that do not have an organised league may not make any nominations.

Regulations c) The maximum number of match officials from each Member Association shall be decided annually by the FIFA Referees Committee, taking the following factors, among others, into account:

i. The level of refereeing of each Member Association II. ii. The level or professionalisation of competitions within each Member Association 10 11

d) The proposed match officials shall be at least 25 years old (23 years old in the 8. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST case of assistant referees) on 1 January of the year for which they have been nominated. Match officials proposed for the lists may not exercise any official function as a member of an executive committee, as a general secretary, or as a member of the referees e) The proposed match officials shall have officiated regularly at matches at the committee of any football club, Member Association, confederation or FIFA during the highest level in their Member Association for at least two years. year for which they have been appointed. f) Only candidates who have officiated more often as assistant referees than as referees in the previous 12 months may be considered for the list of international assistant referees. 9. VALIDATION OF NOMINATIONS g) The proposed VMOs shall have officiated regularly at matches at the highest The FIFA Referees Committee shall decide upon any nominations for the FIFA Refereeing level in their Member Association for at least two years and have officiated at International Lists. The FIFA Referees Committee may consult the confederations before a minimum of 15 matches as a VMO. They can also be directly certified by FIFA reaching a decision. or the confederations. There is no fitness requirement for this role.

h) The proposed match officials shall have passed the appropriate FIFA Fitness 10. ALLOTMENTS Test related to their category, as well as a medical examination certifying The FIFA Referees Committee reserves the right to decide on the number of match that they are fit to act as match officials within the four months prior to officials that it deems appropriate for each category of match officials and may disregard the deadline for nomination for the FIFA Refereeing International Lists the rankings provided by the Member Associations under article 6 paragraph 2 j) of (1 June – 30 September). FIFA reserves the right to require match officials over these regulations. the age of 45 to undergo additional technical assessments as well as specific medical examinations and fitness testing on a case-by-case basis.

i) Candidates who are temporarily injured, ill or pregnant (or recovering from 11. BADGES pregnancy and/or childbirth) at the time of nomination may be approved The selected match officials shall receive FIFA international match official badges provisionally until they have passed the above-mentioned medical examination representing the category for which they were approved. The match officials shall wear and physical fitness test and FIFA has received official notification of the results. their respective badges at all international matches at which they officiate during the j) The Member Associations shall supply FIFA with the rankings of the proposed year for which they were appointed and may wear them for domestic matches as well. match officials based on the marks obtained at national level. These rankings They may not, however, wear their FIFA international match official badge if it does not shall apply only to first-division matches at which the candidates have officiated match their role in a match, unless they are a FIFA international referee, in which case in the 12 months prior to their nomination. they can also wear their badge for other roles.

k) Nominations must be submitted no later than 1 October via the link provided by FIFA Refereeing.
12. EXPECTATIONS OF BEHAVIOUR l) The failure to fulfil any of the foregoing conditions will lead to the rejection of FIFA international match officials shall be role models. As such, they are expected to the candidate(s) in question. behave with dignity and respect, while complying with all applicable FIFA regulations and guidelines.

7. CHANGING ROLES

Regulations International match officials included in one of the lists for any given year may not be proposed for any other list until a period of 12 months (for specialised training) has elapsed. This period shall begin on the day on which the match official concerned no longer appears on the international list. The VMO role is exempted from this article. II. 12

III.
13. SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL REQUESTS BY A MEMBER ASSOCIATION The Member Association to which an international match official is affiliated may submit a formal request to the FIFA Referees Committee to suspend the match official or remove them from the lists for any justifiable reason.

14. SUSPENSIONS AND REMOVALS BY THE FIFA REFEREES COMMITTEE The FIFA Referees Committee reserves the right to suspend any international match official or remove them from the lists on the grounds of performance or behaviour or for any other justifiable reason.

Final provisions 14

15. FINAL APPROVAL The FIFA Referees Committee reserves the right to decide whether or not to appoint a match official to the international lists.

16. APPEALS Decisions passed by the FIFA Referees Committee are final and not subject to appeal.

17. OFFICIAL LANGUAGES In the case of any discrepancy in the interpretation of the English, French or Spanish texts of these regulations, the English text shall be authoritative.

18. ENFORCEMENT These regulations came into force on 1 October 2020. DECEMBER 2024

FIFA FITNESS TESTS FOR MATCH OFFICIALS  3

CONTENTS DEFINITIONS 4

1. 2. 3. FITNESS TESTS FOR REFEREES 6 FITNESS TESTS FITNESS TESTS FOR FUTSAL FOR ASSISTANT REFEREES 13 AND BEACH SOCCER REFEREES 20 Introduction 7 Introduction 14 Introduction 21 Test 1: Repeated Sprint Ability 8

 Contents Test 1: Change-of-Direction Test 1: Speed 22 Test 2: Interval Test 9 Ability (CODA) 15 Test 2: Change-of-Direction Optional test 1: Test 2: Repeated Sprint Ability 16 Ability (CODA) 23 Dynamic Yo-Yo Test 11 Test 3: Interval Test 17 Test 3: Assistant Referee Optional test 2: Intermittent Endurance Test Yo-Yo Intermittent Test (Level 1) 12 Optional test: Assistant Referee (ARIET) 24 Intermittent Endurance Test (ARIET) 19

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials Fédération Internationale de Football Association President: Gianni Infantino Secretary General: Mattias Grafström Address: FIFA FIFA‑Strasse 20
P.O. Box 8044 Zurich Switzerland Tel.: +41 (0)43 222 7777 Website: FIFA.com  5

For the purpose of this document, the terms set out in the Regulations on the Organisation of Refereeing in FIFA Member Associations apply. Additionally, definitions of terms listed in the Laws of the Game issued by The International Football Association Board are also applicable to this document.

NB: Terms referring to natural persons are applicable

Definitions to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice versa.

DEFINITIONS

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials
 1. 7

INTRODUCTION

1. Fitness tests for referees FIFA Fitness Test Optional tests

The official FIFA Fitness Test for football referees is divided In addition to the official tests, the Dynamic Yo-Yo Test into two tests. and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Test (Level 1) may be used as methods of assessing the aerobic fitness of referees Test 1, Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), measures the referee’s against the recommended standards. ability to perform repeated sprints over 40m. Test 2, Interval Test, evaluates the referee’s capacity to perform a series of high-speed runs over 75m interspersed with 25m walks.

A recovery period of a minimum of six minutes and a maximum of eight minutes should be provided between the end of test 1 and the start of test 2.

Tests must be performed on an athletics track or a football pitch (natural or artificial). Running spikes may NOT be worn during tests on an athletics track. However, football boots may be worn if the tests are carried out on a natural or artificial football pitch.

FITNESS TESTS To be eligible to officiate international matches, referees must pass the official FIFA Fitness Test at least once a year.

It is recommended that all fitness testing be conducted by

FOR REFEREES

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials a qualified physical instructor. A well-equipped ambulance must be present throughout the testing session. 8 1. Fitness tests for referees 9

TEST 1: REPEATED SPRINT ABILITY TEST 2: INTERVAL TEST

1. Fitness tests for referees
1. Electronic timing gates (equipped with photocells) Reference times for referees in men’s football 1. Referees must complete 40 consecutive intervals 4. If a referee fails to place a foot inside the walking area should be used to time the sprints. Timing gates each consisting of a 75m run followed by a 25m walk. on time, they should receive a clear warning from should be positioned no higher than 1m from the 1. International and category 1: maximum 6.00 seconds This equates to 4km or ten laps of a 400m athletics the test leader. If a referee fails to place a foot inside ground. If electronic timing gates are not available, per trial track. The pace is dictated by the audio file, and the walking area on time on a second occasion, they an experienced physical instructor should time each reference times are set in accordance with the should be stopped by the test leader and informed sprint using a manual stopwatch. 2. Category 2: maximum 6.10 seconds per trial referee’s category. If an audio file is not available, that they have failed the test. an experienced physical instructor should use a
2. The start gate should be placed at 0m and the finish 3. Lower categories: maximum 6.20 seconds per trial stopwatch and whistle. 5. It is recommended that the test be held in groups gate at 40m. The start line should be marked out 1.5m comprising no more than six referees. It is possible before the start gate. 2. Referees must start from a standing position. to have four groups taking the test simultaneously Reference times for women referees They must not start before the whistle. To ensure (see below), meaning that up to 24 referees can be
3. Referees should line up at the start with their front foot (for women’s football only) that referees do not start early, assistant test leaders tested at once. Each group should be allocated a touching the start line. Once the test leader signals should be positioned at each start line to control the test leader, who should monitor their group closely that the electronic timing gates are set, the referee 1. International and category 1: maximum 6.40 seconds start. A flag may be used to block the lane until the throughout the test. is free to start. per trial whistle has sounded. On the whistle, the flag should be dropped, allowing the referees to start running.
4. Referees should perform six 40m sprints with a 2. Category 2: maximum 6.50 seconds per trial maximum of one minute to recover after each sprint. 3. At the end of each run, each referee must enter During their recovery, referees must walk back to 3. Lower categories: maximum 6.60 seconds per trial the walking area before the whistle has sounded. the start. The walking area is marked out with lines 1.5m before and after the 75m line.
5. If a referee falls or trips, they should be given an additional trial (one trial = one 40m sprint). Set-up on athletics track
6. If a referee fails one trial out of the six, they should Start Finish Start

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials be given a seventh trial immediately after the sixth. 3 2 2 If a referee fails two trials, they have failed the test. Finish 1

Finish 3 Start Start Finish line gate gate Start Finish Start 4 4 1 10 1. Fitness tests for referees 11

Set-up on football pitch OPTIONAL TEST 1: DYNAMIC YO-YO TEST

1. Fitness tests for referees
1. Cones must be set out as illustrated in the diagram 5. If a referee fails to place a foot on the finish cone on below. It is important that the placement of the cones time, they should receive a clear warning from the test be accurate, with a distance of exactly 20m between leader. If a referee fails to arrive on time on a second the relevant red and yellow cones. Referees may start occasion, they should be stopped by the test leader from the yellow or red cones. It is recommended that and informed that they have failed the test. the test be held in groups comprising no more than two referees starting from each cone. Reference times for referees in men’s football
2. Referees starting from a yellow cone should run to a red cone, turn and continue to the next yellow cone. 1. International and category 1: level 18 – 8 | 2,040m Each run will be followed by a recovery period. 25m walk 75m run 2. Category 2: level 18 – 5 | 1,920m
3. Referees starting from a red cone should run to a yellow cone, turn and continue to the next red cone. 3. Lower categories: level 18 – 1 | 1,760m Each run will be followed by a recovery period. 75m run 25m walk
4. The audio file will dictate the pace of the runs and the Reference times for women referees length of each recovery period. Referees must keep (for women’s football only) pace with the audio file until they have reached the required level. 1. International and category 1: level 17 – 8 | 1,720m Reference times for referees in men’s football Reference times for women referees (for women’s football only) 2. Category 2: level 17 – 5 | 1,600m

1. International and category 1: maximum 15 seconds 1. International and category 1: maximum 17 seconds 3. Lower categories: level 16 – 8 | 1,400m per 75m run and 18 seconds per 25m walk per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials
2. Category 2: maximum 15 seconds per 75m run and 2. Category 2: maximum 17 seconds per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk 22 seconds per 25m walk

3. Lower categories: maximum 15 seconds per 75m run 3. Lower categories: maximum 17 seconds per 75m run and 22 seconds per 25m walk and 24 seconds per 25m walk
 2. 12 1. Fitness tests for referees

OPTIONAL TEST 2: YO-YO INTERMITTENT TEST (LEVEL 1)

1. Cones must be set out as illustrated in the diagram Reference times for referees in men’s football below. The distance between A and B is 5m and the distance between B and C is 20m. 1. International and category 1: level 18 – 2 | 1,800m

2. Referees must complete the following sequence in 2. Category 2: level 17 – 7 | 1,680m accordance with the pace dictated by the audio file for the Yo-Yo Intermittent Test (Level 1): 3. Lower categories: level 17 – 4 | 1,560m

a. Run 20m (B-C), turn and run 20m (C-B).
b. Walk 5m (B-A), turn and walk 5m (A-B). Reference times for women referees (for women’s football only)
3. The audio file will dictate the pace of the runs and the length of each recovery period. Referees must keep 1. International and category 1: level 16 – 4 | 1,240m pace with the audio file until they have reached the recommended level. 2. Category 2: level 15 – 7 | 1,040m

4. The starting position requires the referees to be 3. Lower categories: level 15 – 3 | 880m standing still with their front foot on the line (B). When changing direction, referees must place a foot on line C. If a referee fails to place a foot on line C or

FITNESS TESTS fails to return to line B on time, they should receive a clear warning from the test leader. If a referee fails to arrive on time on a second occasion, they should be stopped by the test leader and informed that they have failed the test.

FOR ASSISTANT REFEREES

Start line 14 2. Fitness tests for assistant referees 15

2. Fitness tests for assistant referees INTRODUCTION TEST 1: CHANGE-OF-DIRECTION ABILITY (CODA)

1. Electronic timing gates (equipped with photocells) 7. If an assistant referee fails the trial, they should be FIFA Fitness Test Optional test should be used to time the test. Timing gates given an additional trial. If an assistant referee fails should be positioned no higher than 1m from the two trials, they have failed the test. The official FIFA Fitness Test for football assistant referees In addition to the official tests, the ARIET may be used ground. If electronic timing gates are not available, is divided into three tests. as a method of assessing the aerobic fitness of assistant an experienced physical instructor should time each referees against the recommended standards. trial using a manual stopwatch. Reference times for assistant referees in men’s football Test 1, CODA, assesses the assistant referee’s ability to change direction. Test 2, Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), 2. Cones must be set out as illustrated in the diagram 1. International and category 1: maximum 10.00 seconds measures the assistant referee’s ability to perform below. The distance between A and B is 2m. per trial repeated sprints over 30m. Test 3, Interval Test, evaluates The distance between B and C is 8m. the assistant referee’s capacity to perform a series of 2. Category 2: maximum 10.10 seconds per trial high‑speed runs over 75m interspersed with 25m walks. 3. Only one timing gate is required for the test per assistant referee (A). The start line should be marked 3. Lower categories: maximum 10.20 seconds per trial A recovery period of a minimum of two minutes and a out 0.5m before the timing gate (A). maximum of four minutes should be provided between the end of test 1 and the start of test 2. A recovery period 4. Assistant referees should line up at the start with Reference times for women assistant referees of a minimum of six minutes and a maximum of eight their front foot touching the start line. Once the test (for women’s football only) minutes should be provided between the end of test 2 leader signals that the electronic timing gates are set, and the start of test 3. the assistant referee is free to start. 1. International and category 1: maximum 11.00 seconds per trial Tests must be performed on a stable surface, such as an 5. Assistant referees sprint 10m forwards (A to C), athletics track, an indoor hall or a football pitch (natural or 8m sideways left (C to B), 8m sideways right (B to C) 2. Category 2: maximum 11.10 seconds per trial artificial). Running spikes may NOT be worn during tests and 10m forwards (C to A). on an athletics track. However, football boots may be 3. Lower categories: maximum 11.20 seconds per trial worn if the tests are carried out on a natural or artificial 6. If an assistant referee falls or trips, they should be

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials football pitch. given an additional trial.

To be eligible to officiate international matches, assistant referees must pass the official FIFA Fitness Test at least once a year.

It is recommended that all fitness testing be conducted by a qualified physical instructor. A well-equipped ambulance must be in attendance throughout the testing session.

Start Start line gate 16 2. Fitness tests for assistant referees 17

2. Fitness tests for assistant referees TEST 2: REPEATED SPRINT ABILITY TEST 3: INTERVAL TEST

1. Electronic timing gates (equipped with photocells) Reference times for assistant referees in men’s football 1. Assistant referees must complete 40 consecutive 3. At the end of each run, each assistant referee must should be used to time the sprints. Timing gates intervals each consisting of a 75m run followed by enter the walking area before the whistle has sounded. should be positioned no higher than 1m from the 1. International and category 1: maximum 4.70 seconds a 25m walk. This equates to 4km or ten laps of a The walking area is marked out with lines 1.5m before ground. If electronic timing gates are not available, per trial 400m athletics track. The pace is dictated by the and after the 75m line. an experienced physical instructor should time each audio file, and reference times are set in accordance trial using a manual stopwatch. 2. Category 2: maximum 4.80 seconds per trial with the assistant referee’s category. If an audio file 4. If an assistant referee fails to place a foot inside the is not available, an experienced physical instructor walking area on time, they should receive a clear
2. The start gate should be placed at 0m and the finish 3. Lower categories: maximum 4.90 seconds per trial should use a stopwatch and whistle. warning from the test leader. If an assistant referee gate at 30m. The start line should be marked out 1.5m fails to place a foot inside the walking area on time before the start gate. 2. Assistant referees must start from a standing position. on a second occasion, they should be stopped by the Reference times for women assistant referees They must not start before the whistle. To ensure test leader and informed that they have failed the test.
3. Assistant referees should line up at the start with (for women’s football only) that assistant referees do not start early, assistant their front foot touching the start line. Once the test test leaders should be positioned at each start line 5. It is recommended that the test be held in groups leader signals that the electronic timing gates are set, 1. International and category 1: maximum 5.10 seconds to control the start. A flag may be used to block the comprising no more than six assistant referees. the assistant referee is free to start. per trial lane until the whistle has sounded. On the whistle, It is possible to have four groups taking the test the flag should be dropped, allowing the assistant simultaneously (see below), meaning that up
4. Assistant referees should perform five 30m sprints 2. Category 2: maximum 5.20 seconds per trial referee to start running. to 24 assistant referees can be tested at once. with a maximum of 30 seconds to recover after each Each group should be allocated a test leader, who sprint. During their recovery, assistant referees must 3. Lower categories: maximum 5.30 seconds per trial should monitor their group closely throughout the test. walk back to the start.

5. If an assistant referee falls or trips, they should be given an additional trial (one trial = one 30m sprint). Set-up on athletics track
6. If an assistant referee fails one trial out of the five, Start Finish Start

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials they should be given a sixth trial immediately after 3 2 2 the fifth. If an assistant referee fails two trials, they Finish have failed the test. 1

Finish 3 Start Start Finish Start Finish Start line gate gate 4 4 1 18 2. Fitness tests for assistant referees 19

2. Fitness tests for assistant referees Set-up on football pitch OPTIONAL TEST: ASSISTANT REFEREE INTERMITTENT ENDURANCE TEST (ARIET)

1. Cones should be set out as illustrated in the diagram If an assistant referee fails to place a foot on line below. The distance between A and B is 2.5m, C or D or to return to line B on time, they should the distance between B and C is 12.5m and the receive a clear warning from the test leader. If an distance between B and D is 20m. assistant referee fails to arrive on time on a second occasion, they should be stopped by the test leader
2. Assistant referees must complete the following and informed that they have failed the test. sequence in accordance with the pace dictated by the audio file: Reference times for assistant referees in men’s football
a. Run 20m forwards (B-D), turn and run 20m 25m walk 75m run forwards (D-B). 1. International and category 1: level 16 – 3 | 1,470m
b. Walk 2.5m (B-A), turn and walk 2.5m (A-B).
c. Run 12.5m sideways (B-C) and run 12m sideways 2. Category 2: level 15.5 – 3 | 1,275m facing the same side (C-B). 75m run 25m walk d. Walk 2.5m (B-A), turn and walk 2.5m (A-B). 3. Lower categories: level 14.5 – 3 | 1,080m

3. The audio file will dictate the pace of the runs and the length of each recovery period. Assistant referees Reference times for women assistant referees should keep pace with the audio file until they have (for women’s football only) Reference times for assistant referees in men’s football Reference times for women assistant referees reached the recommended level. (for women’s football only) 1. International and category 1: level 14.5 – 3 | 1,080m
4. The starting position requires the assistant referees
1. International and category 1: maximum 15 seconds 1. International and category 1: maximum 17 seconds to be standing still with their front foot on the line 2. Category 2: level 14 – 3 | 820m per 75m run and 20 seconds per 25m walk per 75m run and 22 seconds per 25m walk (B). When changing direction, assistant referees

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials must place a foot on the relevant line (C or D). 3. Lower categories: level 13.5 – 8 | 715m
2. Category 2: maximum 15 seconds per 75m run and 2. Category 2: maximum 17 seconds per 75m run and 22 seconds per 25m walk 24 seconds per 25m walk

3. Lower categories: maximum 15 seconds per 75m run 3. Lower categories: maximum 17 seconds per 75m run and 24 seconds per 25m walk and 26 seconds per 25m walk

Start line
 3. 21

3. Fitness tests for futsal and beach soccer referees INTRODUCTION

The official FIFA Fitness Test for futsal and beach soccer referees is divided into three tests.

Test 1 measures the referee’s maximum speed over 20m. Test 2, CODA, assesses the referee’s ability to change direction. Test 3, ARIET, measures the referee’s capacity to perform repeated forwards and sideways runs over a prolonged period.

A recovery period of a minimum of two minutes and a maximum of four minutes should be provided between the end of test 1 and the start of test 2. A recovery period of a minimum of six minutes and a maximum of eight minutes should be provided between the end of test 2 and the start of test 3.

Testing should be performed on a futsal pitch or a similar surface.

To be eligible to officiate international matches, futsal and beach soccer referees must pass the official FIFA Fitness

FITNESS TESTS Test at least once a year.

It is recommended that all fitness testing be conducted by a qualified physical instructor. A well-equipped ambulance

FOR FUTSAL

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials must be in attendance throughout the testing session.

AND BEACH SOCCER REFEREES 22 3. Fitness tests for futsal and beach soccer referees 23

3. Fitness tests for futsal and beach soccer referees TEST 1: SPEED TEST 2: CHANGE-OF-DIRECTION ABILITY (CODA)

1. Electronic timing gates (equipped with photocells) Reference times for referees in men’s futsal and beach 1. Electronic timing gates (equipped with photocells) 7. If a referee fails the trial, they should be given an should be used to time the sprints. Timing gates soccer should be used to time the test. Timing gates additional trial. If a referee fails two trials, they have should be positioned no higher than 1m from the should be positioned no higher than 1m from the failed the test. ground. If electronic timing gates are not available, 1. International and category 1: maximum 3.30 seconds ground. If electronic timing gates are not available, an experienced physical instructor should time each per trial an experienced physical instructor should time each trial using a manual stopwatch. trial using a manual stopwatch. Reference times for referees in men’s futsal and beach
2. Lower categories: maximum 3.40 seconds per trial soccer
2. The start gate must be placed at 0m and the finish 2. Cones must be set out as illustrated in the diagram gate at 20m. The start line must be marked out 1.5m below. The distance between A and B is 2m. 1. International and category 1: maximum 10.00 seconds before the start gate. Reference times for women referees The distance between B and C is 8m. per trial (for women’s futsal and beach soccer only)
3. Referees should line up at the start with their front foot 3. Only one timing gate is required for the test per referee 2. Lower categories: maximum 10.10 seconds per trial touching the start line. Once the test leader signals 1. International and category 1: maximum 3.80 seconds (A). The start line must be marked out 0.5m before that the electronic timing gates are set, the referee per trial the timing gate (A). is free to start. Reference times for women futsal and beach soccer
2. Lower categories: maximum 3.90 seconds per trial 4. Referees should line up at the start with their front foot referees (for women’s futsal and beach soccer only)
4. Referees should perform two 20m sprints with a touching the start line. Once the test leader signals maximum of 90 seconds to recover after the first. that the electronic timing gates are set, the referee 1. International and category 1: maximum 11.00 seconds During their recovery, referees must walk back to is free to start. per trial the start.
5. Referees sprint 10m forwards (A to C), 8m sideways left 2. Lower categories: maximum 11.10 seconds per trial
5. If a referee falls or trips, they should be given an (C to B), 8m sideways right (B to C) and 10m forwards additional trial (one trial = one 20m sprint). (C to A).

6. If a referee fails one trial out of the two, they should 6. If a referee falls or trips, they should be given an

FIFA Fitness Tests for Match Officials be given a third trial immediately after the second. additional trial. If a referee fails two trials, they have failed the test.

Start Start Finish Start Start line gate gate line gate 24 3. Fitness tests for futsal and beach soccer referees

TEST 3: ASSISTANT REFEREE INTERMITTENT ENDURANCE TEST (ARIET)

1. Cones must be set out as illustrated in the diagram If a referee fails to arrive on time on a second occasion, below. The distance between A and B is 2.5m, they should be stopped by the test leader and informed the distance between B and C is 12.5m and the that they have failed the test. distance between B and D is 20m.

2. Referees must complete the following sequence in Reference times for referees in men’s futsal and beach accordance with the pace dictated by the audio file: soccer

a. Run 20m forwards (B-D), turn and run 20m 1. International and category 1: level 15.5 – 3 | 1,275m forwards (D-B).
b. Walk 2.5m (B-A), turn and walk 2.5m (A-B). 2. Lower categories: level 15 – 3 | 1,170m
c. Run 12.5m sideways (B-C) and run 12.5m sideways facing the same side (C-B).
d. Walk 2.5m (B-A), turn and walk 2.5m (A-B). Reference times for women futsal and beach soccer referees (for women’s futsal and beach soccer only)
3. The audio file will dictate the pace of the runs and the length of each recovery period. Referees must keep 1. International and category 1: level 14.8 | 975m pace with the audio file until they have reached the required level. 2. Lower categories: level 14.3 | 820m

4. The starting position requires the referees to be standing still with their front foot on the line (B). When changing direction, referees must place a foot on the relevant line (C or D). If a referee fails to place a foot on line C or D or to return to line B on time, they should receive a clear warning from the test leader.

Start line