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Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov stands out in World Cup history as the most experienced official, having refereed 11 matches over three tournaments.
Irmatov officiated five matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, four at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and two at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
This brings his total to 11, a record no other referee has reached.
Argentine referee Nestor Pitana is second on the all-time list, having officiated nine World Cup matches in 2014 and 2018—four in Brazil and five in Russia.
Three referees are next, each with eight matches: France's Joel Quiniou, Mexico's Benito Archundia Tellez, and Uruguay's Jorge Larrionda Pietrafesa.
World Cup rules have usually limited referees to three tournaments. Several officials have reached this limit over the years.
Belgium's John Langenus worked at the 1930, 1934, and 1938 tournaments. Sweden's Ivan Eklind officiated in 1934, 1938, and 1950.
More recently, France's Joel Quiniou served in 1986, 1990, and 1994, and Colombia's Oscar Ruiz appeared in 2002, 2006, and 2010.
Mexico's Marco Rodriguez and Irmatov also completed three tournaments, finishing their runs in 2014 and 2018.
The youngest referee in World Cup history was Uruguay's Francisco Mateucci, who was only 27 years and 62 days old when he officiated at the first tournament in 1930, held in Uruguay.
On the other hand, England's George Reader is the oldest World Cup referee. He was 53 years and 236 days old when he worked at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil.
Mexico's Arturo Brizio Carter holds the record for the most red cards given at World Cup tournaments. He sent off seven players in total: three at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and four at the 1998 tournament in France.
The first red card in World Cup history was given by Turkish referee Dogan Babacan at the 1974 tournament in West Germany.
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