Alireza Faghani: “Despite all the innovations in our equipment, we must be physically and mentally prepared for big games.”
A key focus of the ‘Innovation in Action’ exhibition is referee technology. FIFA referee Alireza Faghani has witnessed this evolution firsthand, and parts of his gear are now on display at the FIFA Museum in Zurich.
The FIFA Museum’s special exhibition Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch explores how modern tools are transforming every corner of the game. One of its central themes focuses on referees.
Their equipment, once limited to a whistle, cards and a notebook, has evolved into a highly technical toolset that supports communication, accuracy and fairness. In the special exhibition, this equipment is not just displayed as objects. It becomes evidence of how deeply innovation has reshaped refereeing.
The story of Alireza Faghani offers a clear lens through which visitors can understand this transformation. The 47 years old experienced match official made 2019 the decision to migrate to Australia from Iran for family reasons. Faghani grew into one of the most respected match officials in world football. He earned his FIFA badge in 2008 and quickly rose through the ranks, taking charge of major matches in the AFC Champions League, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup final and the 2016 Olympic men’s football final in Rio de Janeiro. His performances earned him the Asian Referee of the Year award twice.
Faghani’s career unfolded alongside a period of rapid technological development. By the time he officiated four matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ and later two matches at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, referee communication systems, advanced positioning tools and improved monitoring technologies had become standard. These tools demanded new habits, new coordination and a new understanding of the game’s pace. Faghani’s ability to adapt and lead with clarity made him a model for the modern referee.
As he himself says: “However we have this stuff and technology which helps us a lot, we need to be always mentally and physically fit to be a part of big games in the world of football.”
Since 2023 he has represented Australian refereeing internationally. At the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ in the United States, he and his team officiated the opening match, two group stage matches, a quarter-final and ultimately the final between PSG and Chelsea. His equipment from this period, now showcased partially in the exhibition, illustrates the link between human expertise and technological progress. Each piece reflects the pressures of elite refereeing: instantaneous communication, precision under scrutiny and the responsibility to apply technology without losing the human focus of the sport.
Together, the exhibition and Faghani’s career tell a shared story. Technology keeps evolving. Referees keep adapting. Football moves forward because both continue to work hand in hand.
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