Venezuelan World Cup referees honored upon return to their country

The Venezuelan refereeing trio of Jesús Valenzuela, Tulio Moreno, and Juan Soto, along with assistant Jorge Urrego, received a hero's welcome upon their return to Venezuela after officiating at the 2026 World Cup. They landed at Arturo Michelena International Airport in Carabobo state, where they were greeted by emotional family members, friends, and national football officials.

The referees, who had a notable performance throughout the tournament, were selected to officiate the third-place match, where England defeated France 6-4. Their presence at the World Cup marked a significant achievement for Venezuelan football officiating.

Following their arrival, each referee returned to their hometowns. Jesús Valenzuela was particularly honored in Acarigua, Portuguesa state, by his loved ones. Valenzuela officiated in four World Cup matches, including group stage games and a knockout round match, culminating in his selection for the crucial third-place playoff.

This was Valenzuela's second World Cup appearance, having debuted in Qatar 2022. His selection for the 2026 tournament was a testament to his consistent performance, which also earned him the title of Best CONMEBOL Referee in 2021 from the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.