MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Refereeing Winter Seminar took place from January 27 to 31 in San Jose, Costa Rica, gathering 173 participants from various tiers of the Confederation’s Refereeing Development Pyramid.
The event welcomed Elite and Tier 1 Referees, Assistant Referees (ARs), and Video Match Officials (VMOs) as they geared up for significant upcoming competitions, such as the Concacaf Champions Cup, Nations League Finals, Gold Cup Play-In, and W Champions Cup Finals.
A major focus of the seminar was on monitoring and maintaining fitness levels. Both male and female Elite and Tier 1 referees and ARs successfully completed the FIFA Category 1 Men's Fitness Test, which ensured their eligibility for high-level appointments.
"The Concacaf Refereeing Winter Seminar is a vital platform for preparing our Elite and Tier 1 match officials for success in 2025, as it ensures they receive the necessary support, tools, and training to officiate at the highest level,” said Concacaf Director of Refereeing Nicola Rizzoli.
The Winter Seminar also included a dedicated program for Concacaf's First Year FIFA Referee Seminar participants, who received vital insights on refereeing standards and the key areas of emphasis for the upcoming season. This introduction laid a solid groundwork for their inaugural year officiating international football in the region.
"With a 15% increase in FIFA referees within our confederation for 2025 (compared to 2024)—the largest increase in the world—it is crucial that we provide our First-Year FIFA Referees with an introduction to the expectations and guidelines for officiating at the international level. Their seminar was designed to ensure a smooth transition into their new roles, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in Concacaf’s rapidly evolving international competitions,” added Rizzoli.
The seminar also proved invaluable for the Concacaf Referee & Instructor Academy. It allowed aspiring referees and instructors to immerse themselves in a top-notch learning environment while training beside some of Concacaf’s leading officials.
“Concacaf Referee and Instructor members received invaluable exposure, allowing them to train alongside and learn from the region’s top referees and instructors, as they take another step forward in Concacaf’s refereeing development efforts,” concluded Rizzoli
The seminar's education was delivered through a mix of theoretical and practical training sessions. Classroom sessions emphasized consistency in decision-making, promoting the uniform application of the Laws of the Game across all competitions.
Practical field training involved thorough fitness evaluations and small-group exercises designed to simulate real-match scenarios, reflecting modern football's physical and mental challenges.
By combining structured education with high-level training, the seminar reinforced Concacaf's commitment to continuously developing elite referees, ensuring they are fully prepared to officiate at the game's highest levels.
