Anthony Taylor retires after 20-year refereeing career

Premier League and World Cup referee Anthony Taylor announced his retirement with immediate effect on 21 July 2026, ending a 20-year career in which he officiated 831 matches.

The 47-year-old’s final assignment was Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup round of 16 on 6 July. He had joined the Football League referee list for the 2006-07 season and was promoted to the Premier League in 2010.

Taylor went on to take charge of 432 Premier League fixtures and every major English domestic cup final. He was a FIFA-listed official for 14 years, handling 163 international matches and earning selection for the 2022 and 2026 World Cups as well as the European Championships in 2020 and 2024.

Taylor said the sustained pressure and scrutiny of elite officiating contributed to the timing of his decision. Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Referees, described him as a trusted official whose World Cup assignment between Portugal and Spain capped an outstanding career.

Taylor’s immediate departure removes one of England’s longest-serving elite officials from the pool for the 2026-27 season.

Source: [BBC Sport, 21 July 2026](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c87n8ydlegqo).