National Soccer
This week was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a seminar for referees candidates for the World Cup event. Among the participants were the Guatemalans Mario Escobar and Walter López.
Walter López and Mario Escobar are preparing to be of those chosen in the 2026 World Cup (Photo: Free Press, VAR502)
FIFA and Concacaf continue with the preparation process for the United 2026 World Cup, and this week was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a seminar for referees candidates for the World Cup event.
Among the participants were the Guatemalans Mario Escobar and Walter Lópezwho are still in the race to represent national arbitration in the maximum competition of football.
The seminar brought together a select group of referees in the region, who were evaluated in different technical and physical aspects with the aim of defining the members who could receive a designation in the 2026 World Cup, that will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
For Mario Escobar, this is a new opportunity to consolidate as one of Concacaf’s main referees. With experience in international tournaments such as the Qatar Cup 2022, the Concacaf Champions League And multiple finals in the region, the Guatemalan continues to add merits to obtain a place at the next World Cup event.
For his part, Walter López, another of the most travel referees in Guatemalan arbitration, was also part of the seminar and seeks to stay in the elite of regional arbitration. Its presence in this type of event is a sample of the recognition it has internationally.
During the seminar, the referees were subjected to physical tests, analysis of moves with VAR technology and simulations of scenarios that could occur in a World Cup match. FIFA and Concacaf seek to ensure that selected judges meet the highest arbitration standards.
Official photography of the Concacaf referees group that participated this week in the Seminar for Candidates for the United 2026 World Cup that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For 🇬🇹 Mario Escobar and Walter López were. pic.twitter.com/fq6t3sxrey
– Var502 (@var502gt) March 1, 2025
The final designation of the referees for United 2026 will occur in the coming months, and this type of seminars are key to defining who will be on the final list.
Meanwhile, Mario Escobar and Walter López continue with their preparation and hope to be part of the select group of referees who will be at the top world football event.