DOHA: The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Referees Seminar was launched tonight Monday 5 February and will be hosted in Doha until February 9. There are 48 referees, 35 of referees and 13 video assistant referees (VAR).     The opening ceremony of the seminar was held at the InterContinental Hotel Doha and was attended by Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of FIFA Referees’ Committee, Massimo Busaccas, Head of the FIFA Refereeing Department, Hani Ballan, Vice Chairman of FIFA and AFC Referees’ Committees and Chairman of QFA Referees Committee and Mansoor Al Ansari, General Secretary of the Qatar Football Association (QFA).     Hosted by the QFA, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Referees Seminar is the second of the four workshops hosted by QFA this February. Last week the first workshop held was the FIFA Technical Experts’ Workshop and next week the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ will be held from 12-16 February, followed by the FIFA Master FUTURO Workshop which will be held from 19-23 February.     During his welcome speech Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of FIFA Referees’ Committee thanked Mansoor Al Ansari, General Secretary of QFA and said: “I would like to thank the state of Qatar and QFA for their support and providing the best facilities in the world to this 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Seminar. It’s a pleasure to welcome the best referees of the world here in Doha. We are grateful for the support received so far from the QFA.”     He added: “We are using very good facilities and pitches that are 10 minutes away and are easily accessible.”     He also said: “I would also like to extend a special thanks to Al Kass Sports Channel for providing us with their state of the art studios, staff and their latest technology and equipment to us for this seminar.”     When commenting about the seminar, he said: “The target of this seminar is not something new for old referees here, but this is a very important week because after the seminar we will make the final decision regarding which referees will be selected for the World Cup 2018 next summer.”     Hani Ballan, Vice Chairman of FIFA and AFC Referees’ Committees and Chairman of the QFA Referees Committee said: “It brings me great pleasure to welcome you all to the opening ceremony of the seminar for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Referees, which witnesses the referees gathered from all over the world who will be officiating the matches of the most prominent event in the world, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.  I would like to thank FIFA and those involved in organising this seminar here in Doha, which I am convinced will be extremely valuable for you.”     He added: “We are pleased to host you here during the next few days to conduct your medical and fitness tests, as well as theoretical and practical analysis in preparation for the World Cup.”     He also said: “Throughout the week, 48 referees and VAR assistants from all confederations will benefit from both theoretical and practical sessions, while having the opportunity to discuss new trends and programs in the refereeing world. The seminar will also provide training on Video Assistant Referees (VAR), taking into consideration FIFA’s intention to apply the technology at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.”     Hosting the Seminar for 2018 FIFA World Cup Referees demonstrates FIFA and QFA’s commitment to play an important role in the region and the world in contributing directly and positively to the development of football and its’ referees.     Following the workshop, the confirmed list of selected referees is set to be announced by FIFA.