American Brian Hall was among the 36 referees named by FIFA for duty at the 2002 World Cup. The 41-year-old Californian was one of five referees picked from the CONCACAF region. No American was among the 36 assistant referess (four from CONCACAF) selected for next summer’s tournament. The 36 refs selected hail from 36 different nations. Likewise, no more than one assistant referee was selected per nation. All 72 men officiated World Cup 2002 qualifying games. Hall, who has been a FIFA official since 1992, becomes the fifth consecutive U.S. referee to officiate at the World Cup competition (David Socha/Spain 1982, Socha/Mexico 1986; Vincent Mauro/Italy 1990; Arturo Angeles/USA 1994; Esse Baharmast/France 1998). Hall will also celebrate his 31st birthday during the tournament on June 5. World Cup 2002 referees from the CONCACAF region: Carlos Bartes (Guatemala), Brian Hall (USA), William Mattus Vega (Costa Rica), Peter Prendergast (Jamaica), Enrique Ramos Rizo (Mexico). World Cup 2002 assistant referees from the CONCACAF region: Curtis Charles (Antigua & Barbuda), Vladimir Fernandez (El Salvador), Michael Ragoonath (Trinidad & Tobago), Hector Vergara (Canada).