When Alireza Faghani walked onto the field to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match between France and Senegal, it marked yet another milestone in a remarkable career. The Iranian-born referee was appearing at his fourth World Cup, placing him among a select group of officials trusted by FIFA on football’s biggest stage.
Faghani’s World Cup journey began in Brazil in 2014 and continued through Russia, Qatar, and now North America. Over the years, he has built a reputation as one of the world’s most respected referees and is widely considered a contender to handle the tournament’s biggest knockout matches.
Unlike most referees, whose names rarely make headlines, Faghani has become a global figure. He has officiated the AFC Asian Cup final, the Olympic men’s football final, the FIFA Club World Cup final and several major World Cup fixtures. In many ways, he became one of the most recognisable faces in Iranian football despite never having played at the highest level himself.
Players have often praised Faghani for his communication skills and his willingness to explain decisions on the field. Managers, however, have not always shared that view. Known for standing firm under pressure, he has frequently clashed with coaches and has never hesitated to discipline those who crossed the line.
Like every top referee, Faghani’s career has also included controversial moments. His decisions in Tractor SC’s dramatic league match against Naft Tehran in 2015 and Iraq’s defeat to Jordan at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup sparked heated debate and criticism.
Away from football, Faghani’s move to Australia became a major talking point. After leaving Iran, he eventually joined Football Australia’s international refereeing panel and now represents Australia at FIFA events. Despite that change, many Iranians still view him as one of their own.
His name became a political talking point again after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, when television cameras showed him receiving a medal from U.S. President Donald Trump. The moment was reportedly censored by Iranian state television and triggered criticism from media outlets aligned with the government. What was a routine ceremony elsewhere became a political controversy back home.
Before becoming a referee, Faghani was a footballer in Tehran’s youth system. Choosing officiating instead changed the course of his life. The whistle took him from local grounds in Iran to some of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Despite the attention and controversies, Faghani has remained focused on his profession. Speaking about modern refereeing in a 2025 interview with the FIFA Museum, he said: “Despite all the innovations and technology, we must remain physically and mentally prepared for the biggest matches.”
Reflecting on his longevity after being selected for the 2025 Club World Cup final, he added: “I am 47 years old, and this will likely be one of my last major tournaments. I am trying to enjoy every single moment of it.”
Perhaps the quote that best captures his character came while discussing mistakes and criticism: “I apologise to all the teams that have suffered due to my refereeing mistakes.”
For a man who has spent decades making difficult decisions under intense scrutiny, it was a reminder that behind the whistle stands a referee who has never stopped learning from the game.