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Two on-field teams and a VAR selected for football’s biggest stage 🌍 An outstanding achievement and a proud moment as seven of our match officials prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 👏

Match official appointments have been confirmed for the @SkyBetLeagueTwo Play-Off final 🏆 Full team: instagram.com/p/DYkH_ueDPVZ/…

Match officials for the @SkyBetLeagueOne Play-Off final have been confirmed 🏆 Full team: instagram.com/p/DYj1lJNDIMS/…

Match officials for the 2025/26 @BarclaysWSL Play-Off 🔒✅ Full team ➡️ instagram.com/p/DYhs0PKjLXR/…

From officiating the @EmiratesFACup final to delivering the trophy at Wembley 🏆 A special full-circle moment for Andy Halliday MBE this weekend as he carried the Emirates FA Cup trophy to the Royal Box ahead of the final. After being part of the 2016 final as an assistant referee, Andy became the first serving soldier involved in the ceremony who has also officiated in the showpiece occasion itself. An incredible contribution to both football and military service across five decades 👏

2026 @EmiratesFACup final 🏆🏟️

Making history as the first Black match official appointed to the @EmiratesFACup final 🏆 This is Akil Howson’s story ❤️

Referee Darren England will lead the team of match officials for the @EmiratesFACup final 🏆 Darren will be supported by assistant referees Tim Wood and Akil Howson. Sam Barrott has been appointed as fourth official with Steve Meredith as reserve assistant referee. Peter Bankes and Nick Hopton will operate as VAR and AVAR respectively for the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 16 May.

154 years of history. One groundbreaking appointment. 🏆 Akil Howson will today become the first Black match official appointed to an @EmiratesFACup final. From grassroots football in Leicestershire to the national stadium, Akil’s journey reflects years of dedication, resilience and excellence within the game. Inspired by pioneering officials like Uriah Rennie, tomorrow’s appointment is not only a personal milestone for Akil and his family, but an important moment for representation across officiating and English football as a whole.

From assistant referee to Emirates FA Cup final referee 🏆 Ahead of Saturday’s final at Wembley, Darren England reflects on the journey that has taken him from running the line in the 2015 final to leading the officiating team for this weekend’s showpiece occasion. From unforgettable Wembley memories, lessons learned along the way and advice for the next generation of match officials 🙌

💬 ‘We share a common interest which is football - it’s beneficial for us and the players because it gives us a deeper understanding of what our roles are’ Referees Paul Howard and Sunny Singh Gill delivered a Laws of the Game education session with @ChelseaFC academy scholars. Combining classroom learning with on-pitch application, the session gave players the opportunity to explore how key decisions are made and experience match scenarios alongside participants from the #PLPFAPlayersFund programme delivered by @CFCFoundation. The visit forms part of a nationwide programme helping strengthen understanding of the game through officiating 🤝

Tom Nield leads the team of match officials for tonight’s FA Youth Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United 🏆 Full team ➡️ instagram.com/p/DYUNrrrjPlO/…

Referee Mel Burgin will lead the team of match officials for the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final 🏆 Mel will be supported by assistant referees Anastasiya Voloshchuk and Leoni Harland. Phoebe Cross has been appointed as fourth official with Ruby Sykes as reserve assistant referee. Paul Howard and Neil Davies will operate as VAR and AVAR respectively for the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 31 May.

Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb explains why West Ham's goal against Arsenal was ruled out for a foul on David Raya.

"It becomes a bit of a target to do finals, and the pinnacle is the FA Cup." ❤️ Hear from referee Darren England as he prepares to take charge of this weekend's #EmiratesFACup Final.

Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb said: "This gives us an opportunity to show the world the way that the officials work through situations. It allows people to hear the communications, it allows us to show the process that they’re going through and it allows us to be transparent which is what we’ve always said we wanted to be."

Match Officials Mic’d Up 🗣️ The final instalment of the 2025/26 season airs this evening, featuring in-game audio and communication between on-field and VAR officials, alongside insight and reflection on key decisions from recent match rounds. ℹ️ UK viewers can watch on Sky Sports and TNT Sports from 7pm. International viewers can access the full episode via their local rights holder.