Advanced Referee Coaching Program kicks off at Dallas Cup

05/06/2026 - 3:41 PM

Referee Coaching Program kicks off

MIAMI – The Concacaf Advanced Referee Coaching (ARC) Program is a targeted development initiative designed to elevate the performance of Tier 2 and Tier 3 FIFA Referees and Assistant Referees, male and female, across the Confederation.

The program provides selected match officials with opportunities to officiate at elite international youth competitions.

Strengthening the overall standard of officiating

The ARC Program is a new development initiative launched in 2026, featuring three scheduled events beginning with the Dallas Cup.

Through this program, more than 30 match officials will benefit from structured coaching, evaluation, and elite competition exposure, significantly contributing to the Confederation’s referee development pipeline.

The primary objective of the ARC Program is to strengthen the overall standard of officiating within Concacaf by identifying high-potential officials and supporting their progression.

Throughout each event, participants engage in a comprehensive development environment that includes on-field coaching, structured technical classroom sessions, and detailed post-match performance analysis.

Technical instructors deliver real-time feedback and tailored guidance to support individual growth and consistency in decision-making.

Performance data and qualitative assessments collected during the program are used to inform future advancement opportunities and long-term referee development pathways.

Kickoff at 2026 Dallas Cup

At the Dallas Cup, held from March 29 to April 5, 2026, the Concacaf Advanced Referee Coaching (ARC) Program brought together a group of 12 referees and 6 assistant referees for an intensive, high-performance development experience.

Supported by four referee coaches and one technical instructor, all of which are FIFA and Concacaf Technical Instructors, participants officiated more than 30 matches throughout the tournament. This included key appointments such as the U18 and U19 Girls Finals, as well as the Boys U19 and Super Group Finals.

The Dallas Cup served as a premier launch platform for ARC, providing match officials with elite-level exposure, structured feedback, and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate their readiness for future international assignments.