The focus before a major tournament is understandably on the players and managers involved.
Being selected for the Euros is a massive moment in a referee’s career too, though, and they are facing similar pressure.
Euro odds can swing on a refereeing decision. Referees are bound to be in the firing line throughout this summer’s tournament, even with the supposed assistance of VAR.
Tweaks to the use of video replay might make the process smoother, but that remains to be seen. Here are the 18 referees in charge of this summer’s tournament in Germany:
Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
With the Euro 2024 final landing on his 45th birthday, Artur Soares Dias could be forced to postpone his celebrations.
The Portuguese official broke records by refereeing at the top level from a young age, and was given two games at Euro 2020, including England’s win over Czech Republic.
The Three Lions will hope Soares Dias is a lucky omen if he is allocated to another one of their matches.
Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain)
Coming off a controversial decision that ended in a Jude Bellingham red card earlier this campaign, Jesús Gil Manzano has had an eventful build-up to the Euros.
He’s clearly unafraid of clashing with big names, as he’s also had a blow up with Lionel Messi in the past.
Marco Guida (Italy)
This is Marco Guida’s first international tournament. He’s not without experience, though, having taken charge of many big continental and Serie A matches.
Guida has been a FIFA elite referee for a decade.
Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
Istvan Kovacs has an impressive CV. Given the 2022 Europa Conference League final, Kovacs also has international experience, having been involved in Euro 2020 and been a referee at the 2022 World Cup.
His biggest moment last season was sending off Xavi as Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG.
Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia)
Involved in his first senior international tournament this summer, Ivan Kruzliak hit the headlines earlier this season when he opted not to send off Emiliano Martinez after receiving a second yellow card in a penalty shootout.
Most recently, Kruzliak was appointed fourth official for the 2024 Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen.
François Letexier (France)
At only 35 years of age, François Letexier is one of the youngest referees at Euro 2024. Don’t let his age fool you, though. Letexier has quickly become one of the premier officials in the European game.
Being called-up to this summer’s Olympics in his home country is another acknowledgement of how highly Letexier is regarded.
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
A popular man with England fans, Danny Makkelie awarded England their penalty against Denmark in the semi-final of Euro 2020.
Makkelie was also in action at the 2022 World Cup, and was the VAR for the 2018 World Cup final.
The Dutchman showed just four yellow cards per game in the Champions League this season. However, of high-usage referees, only three gave more fouls per match in the Eredivisie.
Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Widely accepted as one of the best referees of the modern era, Szymon Marciniak started his tournament journey at Euro 2016. Since then, he has taken on the 2022 World Cup final and the 2023 Champions League final.
Alongside his glittering career as a referee, the Pole has also become a TV personality in his home country.
Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
How many referees have been assaulted months before a major tournament? Halil Umut Meler was hospitalised late last year after being punched by Ankaragucu’s president, Faruk Koca, and kicked to the ground.
That hasn’t put him off refereeing at this summer’s Euros, however. Meler was added to UEFA’s elite list in 2022, and will be involved in his first international tournament this summer.
Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
At the centre of controversy when Bayern faced Arsenal in the Champions League, Glenn Nyberg will hope to avoid any further blunders when he appears in his first international tournament.
Nyberg was the fourth official in this year’s Europa Conference League final, and will also be working in France for this summer’s Olympics.
Michael Oliver (England)
Even if you have no more than a passing interest in Premier League football betting, you will likely recognise Michael Oliver.
After breaking through as the youngest referee in Premier League history, Oliver has appeared at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. He’s among the best referees in the world.
Daniele Orsato (Italy)
While he was heavily criticised for his display in the 2022 World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia, Daniele Orsato has more experience than most.
In 2020, IFFHS named Orsato the best referee of the calendar year.
Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Sandro Schärer is the youngest referee involved in Euro 2024.
There has been high praise for the Swiss, however, and he’s worked on plenty of high-pressure games in the Champions League.
Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Given some spicy fixtures over the last few years, Daniel Siebert took multiple matches at both Euro 2020 and in the 2022 World Cup.
Working part-time as a teacher, Siebert is bound to take a no-nonsense approach to childish antics this summer.
Anthony Taylor (England)
Clearly one of the best referees in Premier League history, Anthony Taylor has reams of big-game experience.
He was involved in the 2022 World Cup, and was the lead official for the 2023 Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma.
Clément Turpin (France)
Part of UEFA’s elite group for 12 years, Clément Turpin is heading into his fifth major international tournament.
The 2020s have been a big decade for the Frenchman, who took charge of the Europa League final in 2021 and the Champions League final in 2022.
Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
Like Turpin, Vinčić has been there and done it. An international listed referee since 2011, Vinčić was at the helm for the 2022 Europa League final.
He has already been involved in two international tournaments.
Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Despite a six-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal in 2005, Felix Zwayer has worked his way back to the top of European football.
The German was awarded the 2023 Nations League final between Spain and Croatia – the two teams will be meeting again at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on the second day of the Euros.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
