Felix Brych of Germany, who officiated last season's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus, is among 36 referees named on Thursday for the World Cup in Russia by the ruling body FIFA.
FIFA said its referee commission has also picked 63 assistant referees, with the 99 match officials representing 46 countries. Brych also officiated games at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
They were selected from 53 referee trios in a three-year process through preparatory seminars and "based on each referee's skills and personality, as well as his level of understanding of football and ability to read both the game and the various tactics employed by teams."
Europe provides the most referees with 10 and also the most assistants with 20 but for the first time there is no World Cup referee from England.
Another seminar is scheduled for last weeks of April in Italy, and it will also include candidates to act as video assistant referee (VAR), with the technology making its debut at the June 14-July 15 tournament in Russia.
A final seminar for all officials will then start in Moscow 10 days before the first match, FIFA said.
The World Cup in Russia kicks off on June 14.
