FIFA Seminar for prospective World Cup 2018 referees in Italy

FIFA has recently chosen the Italian Technical Centre of Coverciano as the host for the upcoming seminar for referees in the running for the World Cup 2018. The seminar, scheduled from 3 to 7 April 2017, will include fitness tests, as well as theoretical and practical analysis in preparation for the World Cup that will take place in a little over a year in Russia.


At 27 years after the last international referee seminar hosted by Italy (Tirrenia in 1990), FIFA wanted to use again the organization and the facilities of Coverciano. Under the direction of the new chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, and the Head of the Referee Department, Massimo Busacca, the seminar will also provide training on Video Assistant Referees (VAR), taking into consideration FIFA’s intention to apply the technology at the Russian World Cup in 2018. The seminar will be attended by 53 referees from all confederations: AFC (7), CAF (7), CONCACAF (7), CONMEBOL (10), OFC (2), UEFA (20). Italy will be represented by Daniele Orsato and Gianluca Rocchi (photo).

FIFA Technical Instructors: Taleb Al Raeesi (QAT), Esfandiar Baharmast (USA), Jorge Larrionda (URU), Oscar Ruiz (COL), Lim Kee Chong (MRI), Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP), Alfredo Trentalange (ITA).

FIFA Fitness Instructors: Carlo Castagna (ITA), Silvio Aguinaga (PAR), Grzegorz Krzosek (POL), Ganesan Maniam (SIN), Mademba Mbacke (SEN), Erick Joel Samayoa (GUA), Marco Vaccari (ITA).

Source: FIGC