Matthew Conger (Referee) Bio, Wiki, Age, Salary, MLS, Net Worth, Wife, Family, Height, Nationality

Matthew Conger Biography – Matthew Conger Wiki

Matthew Conger is a New Zealand football referee who is a listed international referee for FIFA since 2013. He has notched several high-profile international appearances including the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, Tokyo Olympics Football Tournament 2021, FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018, FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017, FIFA U20 World Cup Korea 2017, Rio Olympic Football Tournament 2016, FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015 and FIFA U20 World Cup New Zealand 2015.

Conger has refereed on the New Zealand National League since 2007 and the Australian A-League since2014. In 2017 he was named the New Zealand referee of the year. He is also a referee in the Saudi MBS Pro League and the Chinese Super League.

Conger began refereeing at the age of 15. “I began refereeing with USSF and GA Soccer when I was 15 years old. I attained a Grade 7 badge before deciding to study and work abroad when I was 18. I maintained my referee certification throughout the next few years, refereeing locally, as well as in Denmark where I lived for a year. I moved to New Zealand where I immediately began refereeing on the New Zealand Football National League.”

“I subsequently moved back to the US for about three years, during which time I represented Region 3 at Youth Regionals and US Youth Nationals.” In 2006, he moved back to New Zealand where he refereed on the New Zealand National League, Australian A-League and in 2013 was promoted to the FIFA Referee panel.

Conger, a Certified Communication Coach, is the Director and Lead Facilitator of the Holistic Leadership and Development Consultancy Limited in Palmerston North, Wanganui-Manawatu, New Zealand. Holistic Leadership and Development enables existing and emerging leaders to more effectively impact relationships in the boardroom, the work environment and wider community with inspiration, integrity and insight.

Conger graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Education (Elementary Education and Teaching) and taught full-time for eight years. He was a Teacher at Kairanga School from February 2011 to November 2016 and a PE & Health Specialist Teacher at Carncot Independent School in Palmerston North from July 2017 to December 2018. He also holds a master degree in Sport Management from Massey University.

Matthew Conger World Cup

Matthew Conger was promoted to the FIFA Referee panel in 2013. Since then he’s had the privilege of refereeing around the globe in various competitions and professional leagues. He has refereed at nine FIFA tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. He refereed one group stage match in the 2018 World Cup.

Originally from Texas, in the US, Conger is the only referee representing the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Matthew Conger MLS Referee

In July 2022, Matthew Conger moved back temporary to his native USA and requested permission to referee in the Major League Soccer (MLS).

“I was born in Dallas and grew up here in Athens where I played soccer from a young age. I began refereeing with USSF and GA Soccer when I was 15 years old. I attained a Grade 7 badge before deciding to study and work abroad when I was 18,” Conger wrote in a letter addressed to the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA).

“My current return to Athens is due in part to the New Zealand border restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. I needed to be based where I could easily access international travel and have access to the highest-level matches possible as I prepare for the World Cup.

“More personally, it is a sense of deep connection to being a US citizen and my US Soccer referee heritage that makes my involvement in the game here in Georgia and across the country very significant in the build up to Doha.

“I am incredibly grateful for the support of the PSRA board and their recognition of my desire to work alongside the professional and wider referee community here in the US/Canada in a collegial and supportive manner.”

His request was accepted and he started refereeing in the MLS in July 2022. On July 23, 2022, Conger was initially appointed as fourth official but ended up refereeing the match between Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas, as a last-minute replacement for Lukasz Szpala. His first officially appointed match as MLS referee was between Charlotte FC and Columbus Crew on 30 July 2022.

Matthew Conger Age

Matthew Conger was born on 11 October 1978 in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Athens, Georgia. He is 44 years old as of 2022.

Matthew Conger Wife

New Zealand referee Matthew Conger is married to his wife Sharon. They have four children.

Matthew Conger Nationality

Referee Matthew Conger is a US citizen.

Matthew Conger Instagram

Matthew Conger’s Instagram is @mrefconger.