PRO trio heading to Brazil for 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Micheal Barwegen, Drew Fischer and Armando Villarreal have been announced as part of a 77-strong pool of officials for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.

Barwegen is one of 40 assistant referees from six confederations who will officiate at the tournament, while Fischer and Villarreal have been selected as two of the 17 VARs for the competition.

This will be the second international tournament of the year for all three: Barwegen and Villarreal were in action in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and Fisher – who refereed the 2019 MLS All-Star last month – went to France for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup where he was VAR for five games.

The U-17 World Cup begins on October 26 and runs through to the final at Estádio Bezerra (Gama) on November 17, with matches also being played at Estádio Olímpico (Goiânia), Estádio da Serrinha (Goiânia) and Estádio Kléber Andrade (Cariacica).

The last U-17 World Cup was held in India two years ago, and PRO were also represented by three officials at that tournament – Jair Marrufo, Frank Anderson and Corey Rockwell – who all went on to work the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

“The selection of PRO officials for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year continues our strong representation at recent FIFA events, which has seen no fewer than 20 PRO match officials working at World Cup tournaments in the past two years,” said PRO GM Howard Webb.

“This is testimony to the talent and commitment of our officials and validates the work we are doing in North America to raise officiating standards. I am sure Drew, Armando and Micheal will perform to the high level that we have seen from other PRO officials on the world stage.”