How much are referees paid at the FIFA World Cup?

REFEREES can sometimes become the centre of attention at World Cups, but some of the most reputable officials are in attendance in Qatar.

While fans love to hate the men in the middle, there is no doubt surrounding the importance of the referee.

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Qatar began the tournament with defeat to Ecuador[/caption]

The game can be decided in any moment, with pressure at an all time high for the men in black.

With much interest surrounding referees at Qatar, we have all the information on how much they are likely to earn from the tournament.

How much are referees paid at the FIFA World Cup?

According to AS, referees from the football confederations will receive ‘substantial compensation’ for their work at the World Cup.

Starting at the 2018 World Cup, Fifa have paid each referee a basic pay of $70,000, the equivalent of around £59,000, and revealed this would be done for each tournament going forward.

The assistant referees were also picking up $25,000 for their involvement.

These figures for the referees are said to be ‘at least three times higher’ than the amount they get for working in the Champions League.

Additionally, they are said to be paid $3,000 for group stage games and if they referee in the knock-out stages, this will increase to $10,000 and this is added to their contracted pay.

The report finalises by stating that an official that referee’s all the games, including the final, could earn up to $300,000 over the course of the tournament.