Clattenburg Claims Mariani as 2026 World Cup Final Referee Would Spark Controversy

FolioPitch.com – 10 July 2026 | The appointment of Italian referee Maurizio Mariani to officiate the 2026 World Cup Final has come under fire from former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who warns that such a decision would upset many within the football community. Clattenburg’s claim that Mariani officiating the 2026 World Cup Final would upset people stems from the perceived Italian dominance in top-level refereeing assignments.

Mariani, 44, has been widely tipped to take charge of the showpiece match in Miami on July 12, 2026, after impressing during the tournament. He has already officiated the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League Final and the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup Final. In the current World Cup, he has overseen Saudi Arabia’s draw with Uruguay, Colombia’s victory over DR Congo, and Brazil’s Round of 32 win over Japan.

Speaking on the Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast, Clattenburg expressed his belief that Mariani is the frontrunner. However, he questioned FIFA’s tendency to favour Italian officials, noting that Italy has provided referees for three World Cup Finals since 1978. Clattenburg’s claim that Mariani officiating the 2026 World Cup Final would upset people is rooted in the fact that Italians already hold key positions in world football’s refereeing hierarchy, including Pierluigi Collina as FIFA’s referees committee chairman and Roberto Rosetti as UEFA’s equivalent.

“I am hearing again that it could be an Italian referee,” Clattenburg said. “Infantino’s Italian, Collina’s Italian. Most of the power in the refereeing and wider football world is Italian.” (FIFA President Gianni Infantino is Swiss, though of Italian descent.)

The controversy deepened when Clattenburg highlighted the pattern of recent finals: an English referee in 2010, Italian in 2014, Argentinian in 2018, and Polish in 2022. “If we go Italian again, are we saying there’s no other referees but Italian?” he asked. Clattenburg’s claim that Mariani officiating the 2026 World Cup Final would upset people also reflects the fact that Italy failed to qualify for the tournament, making its officials neutral and thus eligible for the final—a logical but potentially unpopular choice.

“It would upset a lot of people if we had another Italian referee,” added Clattenburg, who officiated the Euro 2016 Final. “I am not saying an Italian doesn’t deserve it, but there’s an awful lot of talented referees that could referee that match.”

The debate underscores broader concerns about diversity in refereeing appointments. Critics argue that FIFA should rotate assignments among confederations and avoid concentrating power in one nationality. Supporters of Mariani point to his consistent performances and experience in high-stakes matches. Regardless, Clattenburg’s claim that Mariani officiating the 2026 World Cup Final would upset people has ignited discussions on whether merit or politics should guide such decisions.

As the World Cup progresses, all eyes will be on FIFA’s final decision. If Mariani gets the nod, it will mark the fourth time in seven tournaments that an Italian referee takes charge of the final—a statistic that Clattenburg insists is bound to generate backlash. Whether his prediction proves accurate remains to be seen, but the debate over the integrity of officiating selections has already begun.

In conclusion, while Mariani is undoubtedly a talented referee, the perception of Italian bias in FIFA’s appointments threatens to overshadow his achievement. Clattenburg’s claim that Mariani officiating the 2026 World Cup Final would upset people serves as a reminder that transparency and diversity are essential for maintaining faith in the game’s governance. The final decision will reveal whether FIFA prioritises merit or image.