Meet the World-Class Mentors of Gothia Cup 2026
Former World Cup officials, FIFA referees, UEFA observers, and elite mentors guiding international referees during the world’s largest youth football tournament.
A Global Refereeing Environment
A world-class referee environment where international officials are observed, mentored, and challenged at one of the largest youth football tournaments on the planet.
120
International Referees
Selected from across the Referee Abroad international network.
28
cOUNTRIES
A truly global referee group sharing cultures, styles, and experiences.
20+
Mentors & Observers
Elite officials providing feedback, guidance, and technical development.
650+
Gothia Cup Referees
Part of one of the largest referee operations in world youth football.
Peter Fröjdfeldt 🇸🇪
Former FIFA Referee | UEFA Cup Final Official | Elite Observer
A former FIFA referee and UEFA Cup Final official, Peter Frojdfeldt also served as fourth official in the final of EURO 2008 and now contributes globally as a UEFA and MLS referee observer.
Leif Lindberg 🇸🇪
World Cup Final AR | EURO Final AR | UEFA Core Coach
The only assistant referee to officiate both a FIFA World Cup Final and UEFA European Championship Final, Leif Lindberg remains a distinguished UEFA Core coach and elite referee mentor.
Renato Faverani 🇮🇹
World Cup Final AR | Champions League Final Official | FIFA Mentor
A former FIFA assistant referee, Renato Faverani officiated both the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final at Maracanã and the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley.
Jaap Pool 🇳🇱
Former FIFA AR | World Cup Official | KNVB Referee Leader
A former FIFA assistant referee at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2001 UEFA Champions League Final, Jaap Pool now plays a leading role in Dutch referee development.
Yuichi Nishimura 🇯🇵
Two-Time FIFA World Cup Referee | AFC Elite Official | Global Mentor
One of Asia’s most accomplished referees, Yuichi Nishimura officiated at two FIFA World Cups, served in the 2010 Final team, and led major fixtures including the 2014 opener.
Paolo Dondarini 🇮🇹
Former FIFA Referee | Serie A Elite Official | UEFA Observer
A former FIFA referee and top Serie A official, Paolo Dondarini now serves as a respected UEFA observer, bringing decades of elite refereeing expertise.
Robin van t'Hof 🇳🇱
KNVB Referee Department Leader | VAR Instructor | Talent Development Manager
A senior figure within the KNVB referee department, Robin van t’Hof specializes in coaching, VAR education, and elite talent development for the next generation.
David Schmidt 🇩🇪
DFB Referee Evaluator | German Elite Pathway Specialist | Technical Mentor
Representing the German Football Association’s referee structure, David Schmidt focuses on technical evaluation, talent assessment, and elite referee development.
Octavian Sovre 🇷🇴
Former FIFA Assistant Referee | UEFA Champions League Official | International Mentor
A former FIFA assistant referee with extensive UEFA Champions League and European Championship experience, Octavian Șovre brings elite international expertise to referee mentorship.
Amand Ancion 🇧🇪
Former FIFA Referee | UEFA International Match Official | Belgian Football Administrator
A former FIFA referee with appointments in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, he later served in leadership roles within the Belgian refereeing department.
Jan-Peter Aravirta 🇫🇮
Former FIFA Assistant Referee | Nordic Elite Official | International Mentor
A former FIFA assistant referee from Finland, Jan-Peter Aravirta combines top-level international officiating with Scandinavian technical excellence and mentorship.
Gavin Muge 🇬🇧
Former EFL Assistant Referee | Author | International Referee Mentor
A former English Football League assistant referee, published author, and respected speaker, Gavin Muge combines professional experience with modern referee mentorship.
Sunny Gill 🇬🇧
Premier League Referee | Select Group Official | Refereeing Trailblazer
An elite English match official, Sunny Singh Gill became the first British South Asian referee to officiate in the Premier League, marking a historic milestone in English football while establishing himself among the country’s top referees.
Ibrahim Çınar 🇹🇷
Former National Referee | TFF Referee Committee Member | Referee Educator
A former national referee, İbrahim Çınar has played an important role in Turkish refereeing through his work within the Turkish Football Federation’s referee committees, helping shape the education and development of future generations of match officials.