On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Anthony Taylor announced his retirement from elite refereeing after a distinguished career spanning over 20 years and 831 matches.

The 47-year-old referee concluded his career following his final appointment at the World Cup, officiating the round-of-16 match between Portugal and Spain held in the United States.

Taylor reflected on his career in a statement on the Premier League website: "Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant. The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career."

During his 16 seasons in the Premier League, Taylor refereed 432 matches in England's top flight. His notable domestic appointments included the FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, the League Cup final in 2015, the Community Shield in 2015, and the Championship playoff final in 2018.

Widely regarded as one of England's leading referees, Taylor also spent 14 years on the FIFA International List. His international career featured officiating roles in two World Cups (2022 and 2026), two European Championships (2020 and 2024), and two FIFA Club World Cups (2022 and 2025).