Juan Soto

Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo (born 14 October 1977) is a Venezuelan football referee. Soto was a FIFA referee from 2005-2023, and a FIFA video match official since 2021. He was the Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR) for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

Career Soto was a FIFA referee from 2005 through 2023. He refereed many international tournaments including the 2011 Copa America, the 2012 Olympic Games, and the 2013 U17 World Cup. Juan Soto transitioned to become a FIFA video match official in 2021.

He was selected as a VAR for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was appointed as the AVAR for the final between Argentina and France.

Soto has been a VAR for several Club World Cups. He was appointed as an AVAR for the final in 2023. Soto also was assigned the VAR for the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final.

Soto was invited back for his second World Cup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He received 5 assignments as a VAR or AVAR in the group stage.

On July 2nd, Soto was the VAR for the round of 32 knockout match between the United States and Bosnia. During the match, Soto triggered a review for a red card on Folarin Balogun for serious foul play. After reviewing the slow motion replays, referee Raphael Claus controversially sent Balogun off. However, the day before the USMNT was set to play Belgium in the Round of 16, FIFA suspended the ban after a call from Donald Trump.