Macedonian referee Igor Stojchevski has been selected to participate in the new edition of UEFA’s Talent and Mentorship Programme for the 2026/2027 season, which represents significant recognition of his work to date and his potential.
The programme officially began this week in Nyon, where Europe’s most promising referees had their first meeting with their mentors, former top-level international referees who will guide them through the process of further development.
This edition features 14 referees (10 men and 4 women) from 12 national associations, including Igor Stojchevski as the representative of Macedonia. His mentor within the programme is the legendary Turkish referee Cüneyt Çakır, who has had a distinguished international career and officiated numerous matches at the highest level.
This is a one-year programme aimed at developing Europe’s most talented referees through direct cooperation with experienced mentors. They will monitor their performances on the domestic and international stages, providing expert guidance, analysis and support. Participation in this programme opens the possibility of further progress in their refereeing careers, including potential promotion to a higher UEFA category in the coming years.
Igor Stojchevski’s selection is another confirmation of the continuous development of refereeing in Macedonia and the investments in the quality and education of refereeing personnel by the Football Federation of Macedonia.
