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Former FIFA-listed referee Cuneyt Cakir is preparing for a new World Cup chapter, this time as an official involved in referee management and training at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Cakir, who ended his refereeing career in November 2022 after a record-setting career in Türkiye and abroad, has continued to work in football as an educator and administrator. Since August 2023, he has served as head of the referee committee at the Georgian Football Federation, while also taking on active roles with FIFA and UEFA.
Cakir said his biggest goal after stepping away from refereeing was to take part in a World Cup as an administrator.
“After quitting refereeing, my biggest goal was to serve as an official at the World Cup. Thank God, hopefully it will happen,” he said.
He explained that the work behind World Cup refereeing does not begin when the final list is announced. According to Cakir, candidate referees have been followed, trained and assessed throughout the four-year cycle, with their domestic league performances still being monitored and reported on until the tournament begins.
Cakir said he will travel at the end of May for a two-week preparation period, during which referees will be trained through a tournament involving amateur teams.
Although he currently works in Georgia, Cakir said representing Türkiye remains a major source of pride for him.
He noted that his role in Georgia covers referee development, match appointments and structural planning, while his FIFA and UEFA duties continue alongside that work.
“I serve in another country, but I am always at the service of Turkish football. I can say this very clearly without needing to hold any role anywhere,” he said.
Cakir also said he believes Türkiye’s national football team can deliver strong results at the 2026 FIFA World Cup under head coach Vincenzo Montella.
He described Türkiye’s squad as a strong group and praised Montella as both a former player and a coach.
“With this group of players and our coach, I fully believe we will get good results and that they will make us proud,” Cakir said.
Cakir added that he hopes Turkish referees will also take charge of major matches and finals in future international tournaments.
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