PREMIER LEAGUE referee Michael Oliver is one of the English game’s most experienced officials.
And he’ll be the man in the middle throughout as one of the top refs in the game.
English referee Michael Oliver will be on the whistle at World Cup 2026
Michael Oliver became the youngest Premier League referee at the age of 25 Credit: EPA
Who is Michael Oliver?
Born in Ashington, Northumberland, on February 20, 1985, Michael Oliver began at the age of 14 after being introduced to it by his father.
By 2007 he had become the youngest referee to officiate at when he whistled the Conference National play-off final.
Oliver continued to break records becoming the youngest-ever Football League referee and youngest fourth official.
In 2010, Oliver became the youngest ever Prem referee at the age of 25 years and 182 days old when he officiated ’s game with .
He is one of the most experienced referees in the Premier League having taken charge of 428 matches in the top flight.
He was used as an official in both and the and has officiated over 50 and matches.
Oliver was also in charge for the between – which was notable for the who was attending of his .
He officiated again in the 2021 final in which .
Oliver has also taken charge of matches in the .
In 2023 he between ’s and for a reported £3,000.
In the 2023/2024 season, the after failing to award a penalty with at Anfield.
He over a penalty decision during a London derby between .
In 2024, it was revealed he was one of the main referees at the , alongside assistants Stuart Burt and Dan Cook.
One year later, Oliver was following his decision to give a red card to Arsenal’s – UK police launched an investigation into the threats which the PGMOL called ‘appalling’.
The Northumberland official has now been selected to officiate at this summer’s World Cup in North America, which will be his fourth international tournament at a senior level.
And with fellow Prem referee , the pair have been selected as main referees, alongside four other on-field officials Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn, Stuart Burt and James Mainwairing.
They were both also at the four years ago, where Oliver officiated the quarter-final clash between Croatia and .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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