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What does it take to officiate at the highest level of world soccer? Matthew Conger, who refereed at both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, pulls back the curtain on the journey from grassroots to elite officiating in this fascinating conversation.

Growing up as a goalkeeper in Georgia before eventually representing New Zealand on the international stage, Conger's unique path provides rare insights into what truly separates good referees from great ones. "Positioning and movement is the bedrock of good decision-making," he explains, revealing how sometimes just two or three meters makes the difference between seeing a play clearly or missing crucial details.

The psychological aspects of elite officiating take center stage as Conger shares his philosophy that "pressure is a privilege" – a mindset shift that helped him perform on soccer's biggest stages. He details the deliberate team culture he built with his officiating crews, including creating meaningful team logos and focusing on emotional regulation to ensure clear decision-making under pressure.

Perhaps most surprisingly, Conger demystifies World Cup referees by noting they were "just like me" – dedicated, hardworking individuals with a passion for the game rather than superhuman figures. This humanizing perspective extends to his approach to mistakes, emphasizing the importance of owning errors, analyzing their causes, and using them as growth opportunities rather than dwelling in "that toxic soup of imposter syndrome."

Now through his company Total Referee, Conger is dedicated to developing officials at all levels using an integrated approach that recognizes referees as "their own athletic population" with unique developmental needs. His vision of refereeing as a creative endeavor that enables "the beautiful game to be played beautifully" reminds us why officials truly are essential stakeholders in soccer.

Whether you're an aspiring referee, a current official looking to improve, or simply curious about what happens behind the whistle, this conversation offers invaluable wisdom from someone who's been at the very pinnacle of the profession.

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