Concacaf hosts 2026 Head of Refereeing Workshop in Miami
The workshop brought together 37 of Concacaf's 41 Heads of Refereeing.
MIAMI – Concacaf hosted its 2026 Head of Refereeing Workshop in late September in Miami, Florida, bringing together representatives from 37 of the Confederation's 41 Member Associations' refereeing departments.
The one-day workshop provided a forum for Heads of Refereeing to exchange ideas, review ongoing initiatives, and discuss priorities for the continued growth of officiating across the region.
Discussions centered on improving the preparation of match officials at the domestic level, expanding opportunities for women referees, and ensuring that national refereeing programs are equipped to meet the demands of international competitions.
“Our Heads of Refereeing play a fundamental role in creating that foundation, and this workshop gives us an opportunity to align our strategies, share knowledge, and ensure that our Member Associations have the tools and support needed to develop match officials for the future,” said Nicola Rizzoli, Concacaf Director of Refereeing.
Workshop Program
The agenda featured an overview of Concacaf's refereeing development strategy, outlining the initiatives and resources available to help Member Associations identify, train, and prepare match officials at different stages of their careers.
Particular attention was given to increasing the participation of women in refereeing. Attendees explored ways to improve access to training, strengthen technical and physical preparation, and create opportunities for female officials to advance within the game.
Technology was another area of focus, with updates on the Concacaf VAR Certification Program and the Elite-Ref platform. The sessions covered the program's role in developing and certifying Video Match Officials (VMOs), alongside the platform's potential to improve the organization and management of refereeing activities.
The workshop also examined the importance of physical fitness in preparing referees for higher levels of competition. Participants reviewed the FIFA nomination process and Concacaf's Refereeing Tiering System, which establishes a framework for evaluating officials and tracking their progression.
To conclude the technical discussions, attendees reviewed recent updates to the Laws of the Game, focusing on their interpretation and application across domestic competitions.
Looking Ahead
The workshop offered Heads of Refereeing an opportunity to identify shared priorities and consider how the initiatives discussed can be applied within their respective Member Associations.
Through continued collaboration and knowledge sharing, Concacaf aims to provide national refereeing programs with the guidance and resources needed to prepare the next generation of match officials.
