The International Association Football Federation (FIFA) confirmed the presence of eight referees Central Americans in the 2026 World Cup: three honduranstwo Salvadorans, two Costa Ricans and one Nicaraguan; so this designation recognizes the level achieved in the region, with the exception of Guatemala, Belize and Panama.
The FIFA list includes three referees main and five assistants who have international experience in top-level tournaments, given that those selected include names with experience in Club World Cups and finals of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (Concacaf).
For Guatemala, the main referee Mario Escobar and his assistants Luis Ventura and Humberto Panjoj They are the big absentees from the roster, considering that the Guatemalan center-back led in the Qatar World Cup 2022 the group stage match between Wales and Iran and served as fourth referee in the round of 16
In the case of Panama and Belizeneither country has historically had central referees in a World Cup. However, the Panamanian referee Roberto Moreno has been the most outstanding in his country and managed to integrate the referee pre-selection and participated as fourth official in the World Cup in Brazil 201412 years ago.
The Central American referees of the World Cup
Five assistants
Juan Carlos Mora (Costa Rica)
Juan Carlos Mora Araya is a prominent assistant referee who represents Costa Rica in the elite of FIFA international refereeing and has extensive experience in the World Cup, since the Costa Rican was designated for the Russian editions 2018Qatar 2022 and, more recently, for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Christian Ramirez (Honduras)
Christian Jesus Ramirez Soto is a renowned elite assistant referee originally from Honduras with an outstanding international career who has participated in FIFA U-17 World Cups and was part of the Honduran refereeing team, along with Walter Lopezin charge of dispensing justice in World Cup matches Taste in 2022.
Walter López (Honduras)
Walter Lopez Ramos He is a 47-year-old Honduran referee who is part of the official delegation chosen by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, since he is a member of the Catracha referee team along with the central referee. Said Martinez and may serve as an assistant referee or, on occasion, the fourth official in international matches.
Antonio Pupiro (Nicaragua)
Henry Antonio Pupiro Esquivel is a prominent Nicaraguan soccer assistant referee who made history by becoming the first man born in Nicaragua chosen to join the refereeing body of a World Cup, so he will share this honor with his compatriot Tatiana Guzmán, designated for the video referee system (VAR).
David Morán (El Salvador)
David Jonathan Morán Santos is a prominent professional soccer assistant who represents El Salvador internationally as a FIFA certified referee. However, he is recognized for being part of the main arbitration team in his country along with the central referee Ivan Bartonwho was also chosen for the 2026 World Cup.
Three central
Iván Barton (El Salvador)
The Salvadoran Ivan Barton heads the group of central referees after an outstanding work in the 2022 World Cupwhere he officiated three matches, including the round of 16 match between England and Senegal. In addition, the referee has refereed the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup and the semifinals of the Leagues Cup.
Said Martínez (Honduras)
Saíd Martínez was the center back in the 2021 Gold Cup final and He directed the second leg final of the 2022 Concacaf Champions League between Seattle Sounders and Pumas. Furthermore, after participating in the 2022 World Cup as the fourth referee, in 2026 he will become the first honduran to serve as central referee in a World Cup.
Juan Calderon (Costa Rica)
Juan Gabriel Calderón, of Costa Rica, has established himself as one of the most featured of the region thanks to his ability to direct high-tension and direct elimination matches. He has been in charge of key matches in the U-20 World Cup and the Gold Cup, where he has won the I respect of coaches and leaders.
