Juan José Colindres – Photo Credit: FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belizean referee Juan José Colindres continues to strengthen his standing among the country’s top match officials, earning his FIFA Assistant Referee Badge for 2026. The Football Federation of Belize highlighted the achievement in an announcement on Tuesday, recognizing his ongoing presence on the international list.
The update comes shortly after public discussion about referee safety in Belize, when reports circulated that Colindres and three other referees were considering retirement due to rising violence in the sport. Despite those concerns, it appears Colindres remains active and committed to officiating at both the national and international levels.
A Veteran on the FIFA List
Colindres has held his FIFA Assistant Referee badge for several years, representing Belize with consistency and professionalism. While he specializes as an assistant referee internationally, he is well known at home for his versatility.
A Key Figure in Belizean Football
Locally, Colindres continues to serve as both an assistant referee and a central referee, making him one of the most regularly assigned officials in the country. His recent work includes:
- Premier League of Belize matches
- The 2025 Premier Women’s League of Belize (PWLB) Final, where he served as the central referee
- FFB tournaments, including the PWLB
His continued involvement reflects his steady presence in Belizean football, from local leagues to national tournaments.
Juan José Colindres at a FIFA Referee Course at the FFB headquarters in Belmopan in July 2025 – Photo Credit: FFB
A Statement of Commitment
With referee welfare and respect currently in the spotlight, Colindres’ decision to keep officiating—alongside his updated FIFA Assistant Referee badge—shows that he intends to remain active in the sport.
The FFB’s announcement captured the moment:
“Belize’s very own Juan José Colindres has obtained his FIFA Assistant Referee Badge for 2026. 
Congratulations on this great achievement! 
”
With his experience and renewed international certification, Colindres continues to be one of the officials contributing consistently to the development of refereeing in Belize.
Juan José Colindres (4th from left) at a FFB’s PWLB Finals in December 2025 at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan – Photo Credit: FFB
The post Juan José Colindres earns FIFA Assistant Referee Badge for 2026, continues distinguished career appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Juan José Colindres – Photo Credit: FFB By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belizean referee Juan José Colindres continues to strengthen his standing among the country’s top match officials, earning his FIFA Assistant Referee Badge for 2026. The Football Federation of Belize highlighted the achievement in an announcement on Tuesday, recognizing his ongoing presence on the international
The post Juan José Colindres earns FIFA Assistant Referee Badge for 2026, continues distinguished career appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
