After 24 years and 10 months of refereeing, Anthony Taylor who started his career officiating a football match between Wrexham vs Peterborough has ended it with Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in this year’s World Cup. The referee announced his retirement to step aside and give opportunities to rising young officials.
Anthony Taylor, 47, who was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester, announced his retirement from refereeing a few days after officiating his final match at the World Cup.
THE START: 0-0 AT WREXHAM, 2006
Taylor’s journey did not start with fanfare. He first appeared as a referee in August 2006, at the Racecourse Ground. The young official took charge with his whistle in a match between Wrexham and Peterborough United that ended 0-0 in League Two.
Before that, he had spent 4 years refereeing in the Northern Premier League and Conference North since 2002. But no one knew that this young man would go on to reach the level where FIFA would call on him to officiate at the World Cup.
Four years later, on February 3, 2010, Taylor got the opportunity he had been waiting for. He refereed his first Premier League match between Fulham and Portsmouth, which ended 1-0 to Fulham.
From there he was promoted to the "Select Group" the top 20 referees in England. In 2013, FIFA listed him, and soon his name began appearing in big matches.
Some of the Notable Matches He Officiated Include:
1. FA Cup Final twice: in 2017 and 2020.
2. League Cup Final in 2015 and the Community Shield Final in 2015.
3. Europa League Final in 2023 between Sevilla and A.S Roma
4. UEFA Champions League Final* in 2023 between *Manchester City and Inter Milan
THE END: SPAIN 1-0 PORTUGAL, JULY 6, 2026
Anthony Taylor officiated his final match on July 6, 2026 in the *Round of 16 at the World Cup*, between *Spain and Portugal, where Spain won 1-0. The goal was scored by *Mikel Merino* just minutes after he came onto the pitch.
In total, throughout his refereeing career he officiated 831 matches, with 432 of them in the Premier League.
Over the 16 years he spent refereeing in the Premier League, Taylor issued 121 yellow cards.
Howard Webb, Head of PGMOL Referees, said:
"He has long been trusted as a referee for big matches. Portugal vs Spain at the World Cup was the perfect way to cap off his remarkable career."
Some of Anthony Taylor’s Words After Retiring:
"I would like to express my gratitude to my two assistants Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, my fellow referees, and everyone connected to football for their support over many years. Most importantly, I thank my family and friends for their unwavering support and sacrifice throughout this time."