Ravshan Irmatov
The calm, authoritative referee from Uzbekistan who broke records by officiating more World Cup matches than any official in history.
Born 1977 (age 49)·Uzbek professional football referee·Birthday: August 9·Generation X
Biography
In the high-pressure theater of the World Cup, Ravshan Irmatov was a portrait of unflappable control. With his distinctive shaved head and steady demeanor, the Uzbek official became a familiar and trusted presence on the sport's biggest stage. His rise was rapid; after taking charge of his first international match in 2003, he was selected for the 2010 World Cup, where his superb performances earned him the semifinal between Uruguay and the Netherlands. Irmatov's style was defined by clear communication and a deep understanding of the game's flow, allowing him to manage explosive moments without becoming the center of attention. By the time he retired from international duty in 2019, he had set a new benchmark for referees, overseeing 11 World Cup matches—a record that speaks to his consistent excellence and the global respect he commanded.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ravshan was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ravshan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Ravshan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the record for officiating the most FIFA World Cup matches (11) across the 2010, 2014, and 2018 tournaments.
- Was named the AFC Referee of the Year five consecutive times from 2008 to 2012.
- Officiated the semifinal match between Uruguay and the Netherlands at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Did You Know?
He is a physical education teacher by trade and worked as a schoolteacher early in his career.
Irmatov speaks multiple languages, including Russian, English, and Uzbek, which aided his on-field communication.
He was the first Uzbek referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals.
“My authority comes from knowing the laws and applying them correctly.”
