Referee Mariani and VAR Di Bello represent Italy at 2026 World Cup

Referee Mariani and VAR Di Bello represent Italy at 2026 World Cup

Italy will have some more representation at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, because referee Maurizio Mariani and VAR Marco Di Bello are among those officiating.

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the third edition of the World Cup in a row, although there will still be some Italian interest in the tournament.

That includes Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, Turkiye boss Vincenzo Montella, and Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro.

Italian referee Mariani at 2026 World Cup

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 08: Referee Maurizio Mariani speaks to Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, referee Mariani has been chosen from the Italian selection of officials to be part of the selection.

Di Bello has also been included, but he will be in the role of VMO, meaning he’ll be in the VAR booth and not on the field.

Assistant referees Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni are going to the World Cup too.

There are 52 referees in total who will be involved in the tournament, which is bigger than ever with over 100 games being played in three countries.

This includes 15 officials from Europe chosen by another Italian, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina.

“This year’s FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be contested across the most extensive geographical footprint in the tournament’s history,” said Collina.

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Referee Maurizio Mariani reacts during the Coppa Italia Final match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

**“**It’ll be the largest FIFA Team One ever, with 41 more match officials than at Qatar 2022. Each of them must be ready to be appointed for a match and to contribute actively to ensuring that the refereeing at the World Cup is a success.

“The fact that six women match officials have been selected continues a trend that was started four years ago in Qatar as we aim to further develop women’s refereeing.”

The group of officials will meet in Miami for a 10-day preparation seminar starting May 31, then the VAR team will relocate to Dallas.