🌎 Only one Spaniard and 21 from the Americas: World Cup referees

🌎 Only one Spaniard and 21 from the Americas: World Cup referees The 2026 World Cup will have only one Spanish representative as a main referee. Spanish refereeing has received one of the most eagerly awaited and, at the same time, surprising pieces of news ahead of the next World Cup. As reported by Onda Cero, FIFA has finalized the list of referees for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and Spain will have a single representative as a main referee: Canary Islander Alejandro Hernández Hernández.

This decision confirms the Lanzarote native as the leading figure of Spanish refereeing at the tournament. The news marks a shift from initial expectations, as prominent names such as José María Sánchez Martínez appeared on the preliminary lists. Spanish football traditionally tended to secure double representation in the final stages of World Cups, as happened in Qatar 2022 with Mateu Lahoz and Gil Manzano.

However, FIFA’s final cut has left out the referee from Murcia, placing the full responsibility for the Spanish delegation on Hernández Hernández, who will now experience his first World Cup as an on-field referee after previously standing out in VAR duties. Hernández Hernández’s path to this appointment has not been without milestones. Initially considered an "in extremis" addition in the latest FIFA seminars, the Canary Islander managed to convince the technical committee led by Pierluigi Collina thanks to his consistency in European competitions and his ability to handle high-pressure matches.

His international status since 2014 and his extensive Champions League experience have been strong enough credentials for the international body to back his rule-focused style and physical preparation for the most demanding tournament on the planet. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.