World Cup 2022: ‘It’s like being a champion’, referee Szymon Marciniak delighted to head the final

He’s already won everything. Szymon Marciniak doesn’t have to wait for the whistle this Sunday, like Argentina and France, to find out if he is world champion. As he explained to FIFA, after his appointment as referee for the 2022 World Cup final, “officiating the World Cup final is like being a champion. »

For the 41-year-old Polish referee, taking the lead in the first World Cup final was a dream come true. “It looks fantastic, it was my dream when I was a kid. When I was a little football player, I dreamed of participating in the final, and now I can participate in the final as a referee,” explained Szymon Marciniak. Accustomed to European games (39 Champions League matches, including the semi-final of the first leg between Liverpool and Villarreal last season), the man in black is aware of the role he has to play: “I have to be very focused on every second. match, you must not lose concentration. (…) I expect a great match. In Argentina and France there are big names and players who can always work wonders. »

The Pole also has an advantage ahead of this World Cup final, having already officiated two teams: Chelsea against Denmark in the group stage (2-1) and Albiceleste against Australia in the 1/8 finals (2-1). “I have already managed these two teams and this is an advantage for us. We know the teams, they know us, and we can be sure that we will do our job and that the discussion after the match will be very good,” Szymon Marchiniak assured. When you know the controversy surrounding the penalty awarded to Argentina, it’s best to secure a very good referee in the center circle this Sunday for the Blues.