According to reports, while debates continue in La Liga about refereeing standards and questionable decisions, FIFA dealt another blow to Spanish refereeing by announcing the list of officials for the 2025 Club World Cup. The tournament will take place from June 15 to July 13 in the United States.

In the first edition of this 32-team tournament, no Spanish referee will be present—a decision understandable given the poor and controversial season Spanish refereeing has experienced, filled with scandals, statements, and criticism.

Spaniards Only in the VAR Room

Eleven European referees have been selected for on-field duties, including Espen Eskås (Norway), Istvan Kovacs (Romania), François Letexier and Clément Turpin (France), Danny Makkelie (Netherlands), Szymon Marciniak (Poland), Glenn Nyberg (Sweden), Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor (England), Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia), and Felix Zwayer (Germany).

The only Spanish representatives in the list will be in the VAR room: Carlos del Cerro Grande and Alejandro Hernández Hernández have been selected as video assistant referees. No Spanish assistant referees are included either.

117 Referees from 41 Different Federations

This absence contrasts sharply with the strong presence of countries like France and England, each with two referees. Notably, some selected referees have previously officiated major finals, such as Marciniak (2022 World Cup final) and Turpin (2022 UEFA Champions League final). The Spanish referees’ union has protested this decision, announcing a campaign to oppose it before the tournament begins, and will request FIFA to reconsider.

The new Club World Cup will kick off on June 14 with a match between Egypt’s Al Ahly and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, following a group-stage format similar to the FIFA World Cup. The first Spanish team to enter the competition will be Atlético Madrid, facing Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain on June 15.