English referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from elite football officiating, ending a distinguished career spanning more than two decades and 831 matches at both domestic and international level.
Taylor, 47, took charge of his final match during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between Spain and Portugal, which Spain won 1–0. Over 16 Premier League seasons, he officiated 432 top-flight matches and every major domestic cup final, including the FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, the League Cup final in 2015 and the Community Shield in 2015. Internationally, he was a FIFA-listed referee for 14 years, officiating at two FIFA World Cups, two UEFA European Championships, the UEFA Super Cup, the UEFA Nations League final and the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Regarded as one of England’s most accomplished officials, Taylor earned praise for his consistency, fitness and ability to handle some of football’s biggest occasions, becoming a trusted referee for major UEFA and FIFA tournaments.
However, his career was not without controversy. One of the most notable incidents came in the 2023 UEFA Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla, where several of his decisions sparked fierce criticism from Roma manager José Mourinho. The Portuguese coach confronted Taylor after the match, leading to a UEFA suspension, while the referee and his family were also subjected to abuse by some supporters.
Announcing his retirement, Taylor said officiating at the highest level had been “an immense privilege” but admitted that the constant pressure and scrutiny had made it the right time to step away from refereeing.
