English referees have been a constant presence at Referee Abroad tournaments for over a decade, thanks in large part to the involvement and support of County Football Associations across England. This historic link has played a decisive role in making England one of the most represented countries at international youth tournaments such as the IberCup and the Paris World Games.
The roots of this collaboration go back to 2015, in the early years of Referee Abroad’s involvement with the IberCup. One of the first County FA groups to take part was West Riding FA, who travelled with a cohort of young referees accompanied by then Premier League and FIFA referee Bobby Madley in a coaching role. Within that group were officials who would later progress to the highest levels of the game, including current Premier League and FIFA referee Sam Barrott, who attended at the time as a developing referee.
Since then, participation from England has grown steadily. To date, referees from 29 of the 50 County FAs have taken part in Referee Abroad tournaments, underlining the value County Associations place on structured international experience as part of referee development. Over the years, England has consistently been among the most represented countries at Referee Abroad events, particularly at the IberCup.
County FAs have repeatedly highlighted similar reasons for engaging with Referee Abroad. International tournaments provide a controlled and well-supported environment abroad, allowing referees to experience different styles of play, communication challenges and cultural approaches to the game while remaining within a clear development framework. Feedback from County Associations often points to referees returning home with increased confidence, improved game management and a broader understanding of the demands of elite youth football. The opportunity to work with international referee coaches and observers is also seen as a valuable complement to domestic coaching, offering fresh perspectives without disrupting national pathways.
Among the most active contributors over the years have been West Riding FA, under the long-standing guidance of the late David Fuller and their team of Referee Development Officers, and Lincolnshire FA, supported by their RDOs Michael Brader and Declan Ford, alongside IberCup veteran and former EFL assistant referee Rob Atkin. Both counties have consistently invested in international opportunities for their referees and have seen many officials progress to higher levels after gaining experience abroad.
Looking ahead to 2026, Referee Abroad is pleased to welcome back County FAs including Norfolk, Kent, Lincolnshire, Hampshire, London and Birmingham, all of whom have committed to sending referees to upcoming tournaments. This next influx of young, up-and-coming English referees reflects the continued trust County FAs place in Referee Abroad as a safe, structured and development-focused international environment.
These county-level partnerships sit alongside Referee Abroad’s ongoing cooperation with The Football Association at national level, ensuring international tournaments complement domestic development structures rather than sit outside them. Together, they form a coherent pathway that allows referees to test themselves abroad while remaining firmly connected to their County FA and national framework.
What began as a small initiative in 2015 has grown into a well-established tradition that continues to shape the experiences of English referees year after year. As preparations begin for the 2026 season, Referee Abroad remains proud of the role English County FAs have played in this journey and looks forward to continuing to support referee development on an international stage.