Anthony Taylor’s retirement closes chapter on Korea’s World Cup trauma
English referee Anthony Taylor has retired after 20 years as an elite match official. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) announced his retirement on July 22. His final whistle came at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between Portugal and Spain. For Korean football fans, Taylor is remembered for the controversial final whistle in Korea’s 2022 World Cup group-stage loss to Ghana. Korea were trailing 2-3 in stoppage time when he blew for full-time, sparking furious protests from then-manager Paulo Bento, who was sent off.
Why Taylor left such a bitter taste in Korea
At Qatar 2022, Taylor refereed Korea’s must-win final group match against Ghana. Down 2-3 in added time, Korea won a corner-but Taylor blew for full-time instead. The decision became a national trauma. Bento stormed the pitch; Taylor showed him a straight red. Korea finished third in Group H with one win and two losses, missing the Round of 16. Korea now sit third in the 2026 World Cup group stage with 3 points from 3 games.
A career marked by highs, lows, and the Korea incident
Taylor, 47, officiated 831 matches across domestic and international football. In England he took charge of 668 games, including FA Cup and League Cup finals. As an FIFA listed referee he handled 163 matches over 14 years, including appointments at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups and UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024. He also blew the whistle at the 2021 UEFA Nations League final and the 2023 Europa League final.
But his career had darker moments. After the 2023 Europa League final between Sevilla and AS Roma, Taylor faced abuse. Roma manager José Mourinho verbally attacked him in the car park; at Budapest Airport, Roma fans surrounded Taylor and his family, hurling insults and even chairs and bottles. Taylor later told BBC it was “the worst experience of abuse and threats I’ve ever faced.” His family stopped attending his games and he considered quitting multiple times.
Korea’s road ahead after Taylor’s exit
Korea finished third in their 2026 World Cup group with 3 points from 3 games: one win and two losses. They scored 2 goals and conceded 3 (-1 goal difference), sitting six points behind the leaders. Their last result was a 1-1 draw with Jordan on March 25, 2025. Korea are unbeaten in their last two matches (W-D) and sit third in the group as of July 22, 2026.
Taylor’s retirement closes a painful chapter for Korea. Though his final whistle in 2022 still stings, Korea now turn the page toward the next challenge with fresh referees and a new cycle ahead.
