Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from elite refereeing after a career spanning more than two decades and 831 matches. The 47-year-old officiated 668 professional games in England and took charge of five World Cup matches, concluding with the last-16 tie between Portugal and Spain in the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Career highlights and domestic achievements
Over 16 Premier League seasons, Taylor refereed 432 top-flight matches and officiated every major domestic cup final. His honours include the FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, the 2015 League Cup final, the 2015 Community Shield and the 2018 Championship playoff final.
International career and major tournaments
Taylor spent 14 years on the Fifa international list, officiating at two World Cups (2022 and 2026), two European Championships (2020 and 2024) and two Club World Cups (2022 and 2025). Across 163 international matches, he took charge of the 2020 Uefa Super Cup, the 2021 Nations League final, the 2022 Club World Cup final, the 2023 Europa League final and the 2024 Champions League semi-final.
Reflection and gratitude
Reflecting on his career, Taylor said: “Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant. The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.” He added, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my two assistants Gary and Adam, my refereeing colleagues and everyone connected with the game for all their support over the years. Most importantly, I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout the immense sacrifices this career has demanded.”
Tributes from colleagues
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, said: “Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage. He has been repeatedly trusted to officiate in the biggest games including Portugal against Spain in this summer’s World Cup which ultimately capped off an outstanding career.” Webb added, “He’s consistently demonstrated over a sustained period why he is one of the best and most successful officials that English football has ever produced, but it’s not just his on-field achievements that see him as a role model to many. The professionalism he’s shown and the support for his colleagues and the next generation of officials looking to follow in his footsteps is testament to his character. We thank him for his immense contribution to the game and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”
