SOCCER: Anthony Taylor retires from elite refereeing

Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from elite refereeing after a distinguished career spanning more than two decades and 831 matches.

The 47-year-old English official ended his career following his final appointment at the 2026 World Cup, where he refereed the round-of-16 match between Portugal and Spain in the United States.

"Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant," Taylor said in a statement published on the Premier League website.

"The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career."

Taylor spent 16 seasons as a Premier League referee, taking charge of 432 matches in England's top division. He also officiated in every major domestic cup final during his career.

His domestic appointments included the FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, the League Cup final in 2015, the Community Shield in 2015, and the Championship playoff final in 2018.

Considered one of England's top referees, Taylor also built an impressive international career. He spent 14 years on the FIFA International List and officiated at two World Cups, in 2022 and 2026, as well as two European Championships in 2020 and 2024 and two FIFA Club World Cups in 2022 and 2025.

Taylor's retirement marks the end of a notable refereeing career that saw him oversee some of the biggest matches in domestic and international soccer.

-Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters