FIFA retains 12 referees for World Cup knockout stage after excluding dozens

FIFA's referees committee has cut the majority of World Cup referees, retaining only 12 officials for the tournament's decisive matches.

• FIFA's referees committee excluded 39 of the 51 original referees, keeping 12 to officiate the remaining World Cup matches.
• Two Arab referees – Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan) and Jalal Jayed (Morocco) – remain; six other Arab referees were dropped.
• Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was prevented from entering the United States by American authorities despite holding a valid visa.