The FIFA Referees Committee has announced a number of changes to the list of match officials who will officiate at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018, which takes place from 12-22 December 2018:
- Bamlak Tessema (Ethiopia, photo) has been appointed as a referee representing the CAF region. He replaces Mehdi Abid Charef (Algeria).
- Zakhele Siwela (South Africa) and Waleed Ahmed (Sudan) have been appointed as assistant referees for the tournament. They replace Abdelhak Etchiali (Algeria) and Anouar Hmila (Tunisia).
All of the selected match officials will arrive in Abu Dhabi on 6 December 2018 to complete their final preparations before the first match kicks off. The FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 will be held in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from 12 to 22 December 2018. The final will be played at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 22 December. (Source: FIFA)
AFC
Referee: Ryuji Sato (JPN, 1977)
Assistant Referee 1: Toru Sagara (JPN, 1976)
Assistant Referee 2: Hiroshi Yamauchi (JPN, 1979)
VAR: Abdulla Mohammed (UAE, 1978)
CAF
Referee: Bamlak Tessema (ETH, 1980, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Zakhele Siwela (RSA, 1982)
Assistant Referee 2: Waleed Ahmed (SDN, 1974)
CONCACAF
Referee: Jair Marrufo (USA, 1977)
Assistant Referee 1: Frank Anderson (USA, 1975)
Assistant Referee 2: Corey Rockwell (USA, 1974)
VAR: Mark Geiger (USA, 1974)
CONMEBOL
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA, 1981)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodrigo Figueiredo (BRA, 1983)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (BRA, 1983)
VAR: Mauro Vigliano (ARG, 1975)
OFC
Referee: Matthew Conger (NZL, 1978)
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita Makasini (TGA, 1976)
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Rule (NZL, 1981)
UEFA
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA, 1973)
Assistant Referee 1: Elenito Di Liberatore (ITA, 1973)
Assistant Referee 2: Mauro Tonolini (ITA, 1973)
VAR 1: Pawel Gil (POL, 1976)
VAR 2: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA, 1979)
VAR 3: Danny Makkelie (NED, 1983)