Caleb Wales
| Born |
1988 (age 37–38) Trinidad and Tobago | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2006–present | Football leagues in T&T | Assistant referee | |
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2013–present | FIFA listed | Assistant referee | |
Caleb Wales (born 1988[1]) is a Trinidadian football assistant referee who has been on the FIFA International Referees List since 2013.
Career
Wales was born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1988.[1] He has credited his passion for refereeing to Ramesh Ramdhan, who represented Trinidad and Tobago in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.[2] Wales stated that he dreamed of becoming a referee while watching Ramdhan handle games at that tournament.[2] He has also credited his own father, Gregory, who served for several years as a national referee in Trinidadian leagues.[3]
In the mid-2000s, Wales embarked on a professional career in refereeing, training for years in the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association to improve in local competitions until earning his FIFA badge in 2013.[2][4] Since the designation as an international assistant referee, Wales has taken part in numerous tournaments in CONCACAF, including the Nations League and the Gold Cup.[3]
Wales was appointed as an assistant referee to his first CONCACAF tournament in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[5] He later served at the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League final between the United States and Mexico under referee John Pitti of Panama.[3][6][7] That same year, Wales was part of the officials at the semifinal between Mexico and Canada for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, under Daneon Parchmant as the pitch referee from Jamaica.[8]
In 2022, Wales was appointed as assistant referee to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar leading the trio.[9][8] Wales served in a single group stage match between Wales and Iran for Group B.[3] As a result of his surname, British press and Welsh fans took notice of Wales refereeing Wales, with The Sun titling a note as "Wales reffing Wales."[3]
After the World Cup in Qatar, Wales continued to take part in CONCACAF competitions, including two Gold Cup editions (2023 and 2025).[10][11]
Wales was selected in April 2026 to serve as an assistant referee in his second World Cup edition at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, assisting Jamaican referee Oshane Nation.[12][13]
References
- ^ a b "Wales off to FIFA seminar". TTFA. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b c Mohammed, Naasira (18 April 2026). "Caleb Wales' Journey From Inspiration To FIFA World Cup Stage - TTT News". Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Referee Caleb Wales returning home after dream World Cup debut". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ Prescott, Ian (9 April 2026). "WALES LEADS WAY". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "Wales selected for Gold Cup". www.guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "TT assistant referee Wales to attend FIFA seminar". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "T&T referee Wales to officiate first World Cup 2022 game on Friday". www.guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b Prescott, Ian (19 May 2022). "Proud feeling". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "Referee Caleb Wales returning home after dream World Cup debut". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "Wales gets nod for CONCACAF Gold Cup duties". www.guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "Honduras vs Curaçao: Concacaf Gold Cup stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "Oshane Nation and Caleb Wales to officiate at biggest World Cup in history". Caribbean National Weekly. 10 April 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ Mohammed, Naasira (11 April 2026). "T&T Referee Caleb Wales Selected For 2026 FIFA World Cup - TTT News". Retrieved 16 June 2026.