Rosendo Mendoza Brings U.S. Soccer Referee Representation to 16;
Jose Carlos Rivero Appointed as Video Match Official;
Servando Berna and Drew Klemp Bring Futsal Representation to Four;
Vince Apple-Chiarella and Conrado Garcia Become First American Beach Soccer Referees Appointed to the FIFA Panel
ATLANTA (January 6, 2026) – U.S. Soccer’s Referee Program has had a record 47 match officials appointed to the 2026 FIFA International Panel, following a nomination process to FIFA undertaken by the Federation’s Referee Committee. In total, the 47 individuals represent 53 FIFA badges across the Referee, Assistant Referee, Video Match Official, Futsal and Beach Soccer Referee disciplines.
“This record number of appointments is a direct reflection of the quality, professionalism, and consistency of U.S. Soccer referees across every discipline,” said Kari Seitz, U.S. Soccer Vice President of Refereeing. “Our referees consistently deliver at the highest level, and that reputation allows the United States to continue expanding its presence on the global stage. Great soccer depends on great referees, and this group exemplifies the very best of our program.”
With their appointments, the 16 Referees, 20 Assistant Referees, 11 Video Match Officials, four Futsal Referees and two Beach Soccer Referees have the distinction and opportunity to represent the United States at the highest international levels in 2026.
Joining the FIFA Panel in 2026 are Referee Rosendo Mendoza, Video Match Official Jose Carlos Rivero, Futsal Referees Servando Berna and Drew Klemp and Beach Soccer Referees Vince Apple-Chiarella and Conrado Garcia. The appointment of Apple-Chiarella and Garcia represents the first time U.S. Soccer will have Beach Soccer representation on the FIFA Panel, while the additions of Berna and Klemp bring U.S. Soccer’s representation for Futsal referees on the FIFA Panel to a Federation record of four.
Six of the 11 video match officials are also on the FIFA Panel as referees or assistant referees.
2026 FIFA PANEL – REFEREES (First Year on FIFA Panel)
Alexandra Billeter (2023)
Danielle Chesky (2020)
Joe Dickerson (2023)
Ismail Elfath (2016)
Jon Freemon (2024)
Guido Gonzales, Jr. (2025)
Katja Koroleva (2014)
Rosendo Mendoza (2026)
Alyssa Pennington (2023)
Tori Penso (2021)
Victor Rivas (2023)
Natalie Simon (2022)
Lukasz Szpala (2024)
Rubiel Vazquez (2020)
Armando Villarreal (2015)
Anya Voigt (2024)
ASSISTANT REFEREES (First Year on FIFA Panel)
Kyle Atkins (2018)
Cameron Blanchard (2019)
Logan Brown (2020)
Jose Da Silva (2023)
Chris Elliott (2024)
Jennifer Garner (2018)
Ryan Graves (2024)
Jeremy Kieso (2022)
Felisha Mariscal (2014)
Brooke Mayo (2018)
Alicia Messer (2018)
Meghan Mullen (2022)
Kathryn Nesbitt (2016)
Corey Parker (2015) (Former PA West referee)
Salma Perez (2023)
Cory Richardson (2022)
Kali Smith (2023)
Tiffini Turpin (2023)
Nick Uranga (2020)
Katarzyna Wasiak (2024)
VIDEO MATCH OFFICIALS (First Year on FIFA Panel)
Kyle Atkins (2022) *
Allen Chapman (2021)
Joe Dickerson (2025) *
Timothy Ford (2021)
Edvin Jurisevic (2021)
Katja Koroleva (2025) *
Brooke Mayo (2024) *
Kathryn Nesbitt (2022) * (Former PA West referee)
Chris Penso (2021)
Jose Carlos Rivero (2026)
Armando Villarreal (2022) *
* Also on the 2026 FIFA Panel as a referee or assistant referee
FUTSAL REFEREES (First Year on FIFA Panel)
Servando Berna (2026)
Drew Klemp (2026)
Krystin Pahia (2024)
Matthew Rodman (2024)
Veteran referee Josh Wilkins has also retired after being on the FIFA Panel since 2019.
BEACH SOCCER REFEREES (First Year on FIFA Panel)
Vince Apple-Chiarella (2026)
Conrado Garcia (2026)
About the U.S. Soccer Federation
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official governing body of the sport in the United States. Our vision is clear; we exist in service to soccer. Our ambition, working across the soccer ecosystem, is to ignite a national passion for the game. We believe soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. We are focused in three areas: Soccer Everywhere, ensuring everyone, everywhere experiences the joy of soccer; Soccer Success, our 27 National Teams and pro leagues winning on the world stage; and Soccer Investment, maximizing and diversifying investments to sustainably grow the game at all levels. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.