2026 WPSL Referee Manual

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Referee, Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Official are expected t o be at the Field o f Play one hour and thirty minutes (90min) prior to the scheduled Game Time. The required dress code for arrival and departure is slacks and a polo shirt. Warm-ups are permissible if the facility does not have a separate locker room for the Officials.

PRE-KICKOFF

One-hour prior to kickoff, the Game Officials shall inspect the playing field and equipment, including the playing surface, goals, netting, match balls, corner flags, and markings. In the event any problems are identified, the Referee shall notify the Home Team Field Manager, who shall be responsible for correcting any problems. The Referee has the authority to postpone the Game if, in their opinion, the pitch is unsafe for players. After the field inspection, the Fourth Official obtains and inspects the match balls. The Home Team must provide at least

four (4) match balls. The Referee shall return all match balls t o the Home Team upon completion of the Game. Referee, Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Official discuss any special expectations, unusual pitch or match conditions, special rules o f competition, and any special procedures. Head Referee will be responsible for providing a 'pre-game' with his crew which will address any concerns, rules, protocols or any other expectations set for the match.

OFFICIAL ROSTER

Forty-five minutes (45min) before the scheduled kickoff, the fourth official will check-in players using the Squadi app on their phone no less than 45 minutes prior to kickoff. Teams should have their final game day roster listed in Squadi which must include Starters, Substitutes, Jersey Numbers, First & Last Names, and Position for the Players and the Head Coach's first and last name. The Roster must be completed in full with all areas filled out in its entirety.

WPSL DOES NOT HAVE PLAYER PASSES - Players are checked off the Game Day Roster.

Players May Not Be Added t o the Roster a t the Field on Game Day - No Exceptions.

PLAYERS ON GAME DAY ROSTER

Maximum of 20 Players may dress for Games (including warm-up session). Minimum of 14 Players for each Game. If a Team does not have 14 players, the Game is played as if the Team has seven (7) players. The failure t o have 14. Players must be reported to Karen Swanner @ kswanner@wpslsoccer.com

TECHNICAL AREA

Only the following individuals are allowed in the Technical area:

LIMITATIONS MUST BE STRICTLY ENFORCED

—Players Dressed on Game Day Roster - Technical Staff - Medical Staff - Team Manager —Maximum of 20 Players

—Head Coach, Assistant Coaches

—Team Doctor, Trainer(s)

—Travel Coordinator, Videographer

—Team Owners, Front Office Management

—Staff, Players not dressed, Spouses,

—Children, and Parents are NOT ALLOWED  n the Technical Area during Warm-Ups or

THIS IS TO B E STRICTLY ENFORCED - NO EXCEPTIONS

Professional conduct and attire are required of all personnel on the Team Bench. The minimum dress code includes polo shirt, dress shorts, and shoes. Please Note: Abusive language and obscene body language or gestures will NOT be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly.

UNIFORMS

• Must have Numbers on the back of jersey at least 8 " high.

• Must have Numbers on either front o f jersey or shorts at least 3" high.

• Numbers can start 00 through 99.

Home Team chooses uniform colors i f a uniform conflict i s presented

• Each uniform must display the Official WPSL Logo on the jersey's left sleeve

• Sponsored advertising is allowed if it does not block any of the above