Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from elite refereeing, bringing to a close a career spanning more than two decades and 831 matches across the English, European, and international game. The 47-year-old officiated 668 matches in the professional game in England alone, establishing himself as one of the country’s most respected and enduring match officials.
Over 16 seasons in the Premier League, Taylor took charge of 432 top-flight fixtures and officiated every major domestic cup final, a record few of his contemporaries can match. His honours list includes the FA Cup finals of 2017 and 2020, the 2015 League Cup final, the 2015 Community Shield, and the 2018 Championship play-off final.
Taylor spent 14 years on FIFA’s international list, during which he took charge of 163 international fixtures. His appointments included the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final, the 2023 UEFA Europa League final, and the 2024 UEFA Champions League semi-final. He was also selected for two FIFA World Cups, in 2022 and 2026, and two UEFA European Championships, in 2020 and 2024.
Anthony Taylor’s Career
831 Total Matches
432 PL Matches
163 International Matches
16 PL Seasons
14 Years on FIFA List
2 World Cups
Taylor’s final appointment came at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he was appointed to the Round of 16 tie between Portugal and Spain, a match won 1-0 by the eventual tournament winners. It brought down the curtain on a career that began on the Northern Premier League circuit in 2002 before progressing through the Football Conference and Football League, culminating in his promotion to the Select Group in 2010.
Taylor’s stewardship of the domestic game was defined by his willingness to take on the biggest occasions. In 2020, he became the first referee since 1901 to take charge of a second FA Cup final, having previously officiated the 2017 showpiece.
Both finals, coincidentally, were contested between Arsenal and Chelsea and finished 2-1 to the Gunners.
Anthony Taylor’s Career Breakdown
Born: 20 October 1978, Wythenshawe, Manchester
Turned professional: 2002, Northern Premier League
Premier League debut: 2010
FIFA listed referee: 2013–2026 (14 years)
Domestic honours: 2015 League Cup final, 2015 Community Shield, 2017 and 2020 FA Cup finals, 2018 Championship play-off final
International honours: 2020 UEFA Super Cup, 2021 UEFA Nations League final, 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final, 2023 UEFA Europa League final, 2024 UEFA Champions League semi-final
Major tournaments: FIFA World Cup (2022, 2026); UEFA European Championship (2020, 2024)
Final match: Portugal 0-1 Spain, Round of 16, 2026 FIFA World Cup
Taylor’s career was not without its share of controversy and personal cost. The official was the target of abuse in the aftermath of high-profile European fixtures, and has previously spoken candidly about the toll that scrutiny placed on him and his family. His retirement statement, delivered through refereeing body Pro Ref, struck a reflective tone about the demands of officiating in the modern game while expressing gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career.
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, paid tribute to Taylor’s contribution to the sport, describing him as a fantastic servant to the game both domestically and on the international stage, and pointing to his trusted role in some of the biggest fixtures in world football, culminating in this summer’s World Cup appointment.