25 U.S. Soccer Referees Appointed to 2018 FIFA Panel

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 29, 2018) – In conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Referee Program, the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee and FIFA have appointed the 25 highest level U.S. Soccer referees to the 2018 FIFA Panel. Upon being presented with their 2018 FIFA badges, the eight referees, 16 assistant referees and one futsal referee now have the distinction and opportunity to represent the United States at the highest international levels in 2018, including FIFA Youth, Men’s and Women’s World Cups.

Of the 25 referees, four have been appointed to the FIFA panel for the first time: Kyle Atkins, Jennifer Garner, Brooke Mayo and Alicia Messer.

“The U.S. Soccer Referee Department is proud of our 2018 FIFA International Panel appointees,” U.S. Soccer Director of Referee Development Rick Eddy said. “Our match officials have worked everywhere in the past year from San Diego to Saudi Arabia. It’s an exciting time with the Men’s World Cup in Russia this summer and the Women’s World Cup in France next year. We feel U.S. referees are in good position to represent our nation at both competitions. We would also like to welcome and congratulate the newest members of the panel: Kyle Atkins, Jennifer Garner, Brooke Mayo and Alicia Messer.”

2018 FIFA Panel Selection

To be considered for selection to the FIFA panel each year, referee candidates around the world must have officiated a minimum of two years in the highest recognized professional division in their respective country. The 25 selected referees from the United States have spent the last two years or more working in Major League Soccer or the National Women’s Soccer League.

Following their appointment to the panel, the 25 U.S. Soccer FIFA Panel referees will be provided opportunities to officiate CONCACAF leagues and tournaments. Based on their performance in CONCACAF, each referee is evaluated and categorized into a tier, with the top tier officials receiving selection to the Men’s and Women’s World Cup panels.

U.S. Soccer referees Mark Geiger, Jair Marrufo (Men’s) and Ekaterina Koroleva (Women’s) previously earned selection and currently serve on the FIFA World Cup Panel.