Dutch referee excluded from 2026 World Cup

FIFA has announced that Dutch referee Rob De Brink has been dropped from the list of referees participating in the upcoming Men's World Cup. This decision comes despite the dismissal of an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against him. De Brink was scheduled to serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next month. According to media reports, De Brink was accused of sexually assaulting a minor in London and was arrested. However, the police investigation was halted due to insufficient evidence, according to reports. The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf quoted De Brink as saying he is innocent. "I am very saddened that I was falsely accused," the referee said, adding that it was regrettable that FIFA had decided not to use him at the World Cup.