Tournament Manager Randy Jones confirmed today that FIFA referees would once again be officiating games at Dallas Cup XXIV, which begins April 13 at Lake Highlands Stadium and concludes Easter Sunday, April 20, with Super Sunday. FIFA referees will primarily be officiating the Super Group and Under 19 games but they will also be involved in games across all age groups throughout. FIFA referees will be identifiable by their FIFA badges on their uniforms.

FIFA referees Brian Hall (USA), Carlos Batres (Guatemala) and William Mattus (Costa Rica) were all on officiating crews that worked the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. Joining them at Dallas Cup XXIV will be FIFA referee Kevin Terry of North Texas (USA), Watson Luis Cabrera (Dominican Republic), Markus Nobs (Switzerland), Felix Onias Tangawarima (Zimbabwe), Mauricio Navarro (Canada) and Joseph Wellington (Ghana). Additionally, long time Dallas Cup supporters and retired FIFA referees Antonio Marrufo (Mexico) and Ed Bellion (USA) will be officiating Dallas Cup games.

To have such an excellent group of top past and current FIFA referees officiating at this year's tournament shows the esteem in which Dallas Cup is held by the international soccer community, said Randy Jones, tournament manager.

One of the major benefits of having these top-level referees and officials is for the young players to be able to play under FIFA referees and gain game condition experience. It is also a great opportunity for the north Texas referees who are participating or watching the tournament to see the very best officials, added Jones.