German Referee Selected for Champions League Final Despite Missing World Cup
German official Daniel Siebert has been named by UEFA to preside over the Champions League showdown between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, a choice that comes despite his absence from FIFA’s World Cup squad. The decision underscores Siebert’s rising prominence within European football officiating circles. The highly anticipated final, set for May 30 at Budapest’s Puskas Arena, will mark the tenth Champions League campaign for Siebert this season. Notably, this marks the third consecutive season in which he has officiated an Arsenal fixture. His previous performances include managing the club’s narrow 1-0 victories over Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals and Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, both in away settings. During this current UEFA Champions League cycle, Siebert has already issued one red card and granted a single penalty decision across nine matches. His reputation for strict enforcement was evident when he sanctioned a penalty in the league phase clash against Athletic Bilbao, which concluded goalless. While FIFA included Siebert in the Qatari World Cup roster—participating in two group matches involving Tunisia versus Australia and Ghana versus Uruguay—he was notably omitted from the North American 2026 edition alongside compatriot Felix Zwayer. Beyond club and international tournaments, Siebert also officiated five games throughout recent European Championship tournaments. Looking ahead, he is poised to lead the upcoming Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais Feminine, scheduled for May 23 in Oslo. Additional assignments for Siebert include upcoming assignments such as the Europa League final featuring Aston Villa versus Freiburg on May 20 in Istanbul, and the Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano set for May 27 in Leipzig. Both fixtures promise high stakes and intense competition. As the football world turns its attention to Budapest, all eyes will be on Siebert to deliver what could prove to be one of the most memorable finals in recent memory.
