"This match changed a lot": Marciniak reflects on officiating the 2022 World Cup final

The World Cup final is the pinnacle not only for players but also for referees. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who officiated the 2022 final between France and Argentina in Qatar, has shared how the experience influenced him as an official.

Details: Marciniak explained that working the World Cup final significantly enhanced his reputation among players, who have shown him exceptional respect over the past two years. He attributes this to his officiating style, which allows the game to flow, intervening only when absolutely necessary.

Quote: "That one match changed a lot in how people see me. I see it now when I step onto the pitch—the respect from players and the trust they have in me. Of course, a referee is not a robot. Mistakes were, are, and will be made. For me, the most important thing is never to drop below a certain level.

I appreciate how players react, the trust they place in my decisions. I value how much my authority has grown in the eyes of players and coaches. I let the game flow a lot. My matches look good; I don’t whistle for trivial things," Marciniak said in an interview with the Polish Football Association.

Reminder: In addition to officiating the 2022 World Cup final, Marciniak served as the fourth official in the UEFA Euro 2024 final between England and Spain.