Bastian Dankert: Germany's Sole Referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Bastian Dankert, a referee from Rostock, will be the only German official representing the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to take place across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. With 14 years of experience officiating in Germany's 1. Bundesliga, Dankert has become a respected figure in international football refereeing.

He has been serving as a video assistant referee (VAR) at major tournaments since 2018 and this upcoming World Cup marks his third men's tournament in that role. Dankert notably officiated the DFB-Pokal final two years ago and participated as part of the extended referee team during the 2022 World Cup final, attending due to Germany’s early exit from the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup is anticipated to be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches over 39 days. Dankert fondly recalls receiving a medal from former U.S. President Donald Trump after the Club World Cup final and expressed hopes for an opportunity to shine again on the World Cup stage, calling it “an absolute dream.”

Despite the pressures on referees, Dankert remains optimistic and supportive of Germany’s national team, led by coach Julian Nagelsmann. His presence as Germany's sole officiating representative underscores his expertise and experience in football’s rapidly evolving refereeing landscape.