Concacaf Hosts 2026 Refereeing Winter Seminar in Panama City
PANAMA CITY – Concacaf hosted its 2026 Refereeing Winter Seminar from Jan. 27–29, 2026 , bringing together the Confederation’s top match officials for an intensive three-day preparation program ahead of a demanding year of international competitions.
The seminar welcomed 51 Elite and First Tier Referees along with 19 Video Match Officials (VMOs) , all of whom are expected to play key roles in upcoming competitions, including the men’s and women’s Champions Cup and the W Championship, on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 .
Designed to ensure officials are fully prepared both physically and mentally, the seminar focused on fitness evaluations , theoretical classroom instruction , and practical on-field training sessions . Emphasis was placed on consistency in decision-making, interpretation of the Laws of the Game, and the application of VAR protocols at the highest level of competition.
Nicola Rizzoli , Concacaf’s Director of Refereeing, highlighted the importance of the seminar within the Confederation’s long-term vision for excellence.
“Preparation has been the cornerstone of our success over the past three years,” said Rizzoli. “This seminar is fundamental, and it builds on existing achievements and lessons learned, focusing not only on nest competitions, but on developing the mindset, discipline, and professionalism required to be world-class referees.
Concacaf continues to invest in officiating because excellence on the field begins with officials who are prepared, supported, and held to the highest standards – ready to perform at every level of our competitions and to aspire to officiate with success at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in our region,” Rizzoli added .
A key component of this year’s program was the First Year FIFA Referee Seminar , which brought together 15 first-time FIFA Referees who recently graduated through Concacaf’s r efereeing development programs. These officials had the opportunity to train, learn, and be inspired alongside the Confederation’s most experienced referees, gaining first-hand insight into the standards, discipline, and commitment required to operate at a world-class level within the region.
In addition, members of the eighth generation of the Concacaf Referee & Instructor Academy participated in the educational sessions as part of their program’s introductory curriculum . Their inclusion reinforced Concacaf’s commitment to building a strong pipeline of future referees and instructors through structured education and mentorshi p .