Eight referees will officiate squash’s historic Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. World Squash Officiating has opened the pathway to choose them, and nominations close on 31 October 2026.
World Squash Officiating (WSO) has announced the LA28 referee selection pathway, the process that will decide who officiates squash at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The pathway will fill nine officiating roles, one Officiating Lead and eight referees, plus two named reserves.
WSO will make its best efforts to achieve continental representation among the selected officials, with a minimum of three female referees among the eight appointed.
Who Can Be Nominated
To be considered for the LA28 referee selection, officials must meet the following criteria:
- WSO certification of at least Level 3, with Level 4 preferred (high-performing referees below Level 4 may still be considered)
- At least three years of international-level officiating experience
- Recent activity at major PSA Squash Tour, World Squash or Continental events
- Consistently strong appraisal outcomes at major events over the past 24 months
- A clean integrity record and fluency in English
- Eligibility for a U.S. visa or entry
- A valid SPIN, with their Member National Federation in good standing with World Squash
From Nomination to Olympic Selection: Key Dates
- Nominations (until 31 October 2026): Continental Federations and their Member National Federations nominate referees through the WSO-LA28 Nomination Form, prioritising performance and gender balance.
- Long list: an Eligibility Review Panel, including a World Squash technical representative and an independent officiating expert, checks every nomination against the criteria.
- Development and appraisal: long-listed referees follow a structured programme with targeted appraisals at major events, individual development plans and workshops, including opportunities at Multi-Sport Games.
- Shortlist (end of the 2026/27 season): the long list is reduced to 12 referees.
- Final selection (February 2028): a Selection Panel chaired by an independent officiating expert, with World Squash and PSA representation, makes its recommendation, which is approved by the WSO Steering Group and the World Squash Board before being submitted to the IOC.
Appeals are available at every stage on procedural grounds. Above all, WSO has made clear that the pathway is designed to raise standards for everyone involved:
“Every referee who takes part in this pathway should leave it a better official, regardless of the final selection outcome.”
World Squash Officiating
The Americas Ready to Be Part of Olympic History
At PanAm Squash, we are confident that several officials from our continent will be part of this historic milestone for squash. Referees from the Americas officiate every season at PSA World Tour events across our region, at our Pan American Championships and at multi-sport events such as the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
As a Continental Federation, PanAm Squash has a key role in the nomination stage. We encourage our Member National Federations to identify their best-qualified referees and put them forward before the 31 October 2026 deadline, with performance and gender balance as priorities. Our Refereeing Committee will continue supporting officials from across the continent on their road to LA28.
Read the official announcement from World Squash Officiating.
