Football's world governing body FIFA on Thursday confirmed the 36 referees and 63 assistants who will be officiating at the 64 games in Russia in June.

The same referees were provisionally selected in November.

Apart from Australia, Belgium, Portugal and South Korea will also not be represented despite also adopting VAR trials in their domestic leagues.

But New Zealand's Matthew Conger is among the refs selected, with countryman Simon Lount named as an assistant referee alongside Bertrand Brial (New Caledonia) and Tevita Makasini (Tonga).

FIFA has insisted World Cup officials will be fully trained to use the video assistant referee protocol despite criticism of often slow and confusing decision-making since trials began in 2016.

Selection was based on "each referee's skills and personality, as well as his level of understanding of football and ability to read both the game and the various tactics employed by teams", FIFA said in a statement.

Four countries whose leagues actually use VAR - Germany, Italy, Poland and the United States - will have match officials in Russia, it was confirmed.

Brazil, France and Holland are among countries using VAR in domestic cup games that have had their officials selected by FIFA.

However, for the first time since 1938, there will be no British official at a World Cup finals tournament.