PABS Officials become first U.S. FIFA Beach Soccer Referee’s. In January 2026, Vincent Apple-Chiarella and Conrad Garcia Corredor were officially named to the FIFA Beach Soccer referee panel for the United States, thus becoming the first American referees in history to be appointed to the FIFA Beach Soccer International List.
Their appointments took effect January 1, 2026 and were recognized at a national referee gathering in Houston on January 10, marking a historic milestone not only for the officials themselves, but for the growth of beach soccer officiating in the United States.
Both referees developed through years of work at Pro-Am Beach Soccer (PABS) events, learning the craft on the sand at major tournaments including Santa Cruz, Ocean Beach in San Francisco, and multiple editions of the Oceanside beach soccer competition. Their progression reflects a pathway that has been built over time through consistent high-level matches, mentorship, and the unique demands of officiating the beach game.
Conrad Garcia Corredor
Garcia Corredor first worked the Santa Cruz Open as early as 2008, during a formative period for the modern U.S. beach soccer circuit. In those early years, he often pulled double duty. He was refereeing in the Men’s Division while also playing goalkeeper in the Coed Division. As the level of competition and expectations grew, he eventually committed fully to officiating. His focus on the development required it to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Vince Apple-Chiarella
Apple-Chiarella began working the Santa Cruz Open in 2015 and quickly became a regular presence across PABS tournaments and elite U.S. beach soccer events. He is known for steady match control and a strong understanding of the rhythm and flow unique to the sand game. He progressed through the national referee ranks while continuing to build experience at major domestic competitions. But, he has plied his trade mostly at PABS events.
Between them, the two referees represent nearly two decades of service to beach soccer in the United States. Their FIFA appointments signal a turning point for American officials in the sport and validate the long-term development taking place within domestic tournaments. PABS Officials become first U.S. FIFA Beach Soccer Referee’s is a new high mark for sport in U.S.
“It’s great that the first-ever Beach Soccer FIFA referees are from Northern California and have officiated in Santa Cruz and Ocean Beach as well as other tournaments. Their appointments will help raise the standard and drive future development,” said Tim Weyland, Vice Chair of the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee and former FIFA Beach Soccer Referee Instructor.
PABS History Around Referee Development
For the PABS community, the milestone carries added meaning. The same tournaments that helped grow the sport domestically have now produced officials who will represent the United States on the international stage. For PABS officials becoming U.S. FIFA Beach Soccer Referee’s it completes a long time goal for the organization.
Tighe O’Sullivan, founder of PABS explained, “Back in 2008, while I was coaching with the U.S. Men’s National Team, I had the chance to meet with the head of Beach Soccer officiating, Jesus Rubio. It was at Las Rozas, the Spanish Federation’s training center in Madrid. I was there with one of my annual youth groups attending the Real Madrid summer programs. We took time to catch up on how the sport was growing internationally.
On the main pitch used by the Spanish National Team, Sr. Rubio challenged me to help develop beach soccer referees from the United States. At the time, the sport was still very new within FIFA. I told him honestly that we didn’t have officials who truly knew the beach soccer laws yet. He laughed and said, ‘Don’t worry, none of ours do either. That’s how it starts.’
I promised Rubio that day we would build a pathway for American referees in the sport. Seeing Vincent and Conrad now appointed as the first FIFA Beach Soccer referees in U.S. history is incredibly meaningful. It represents years of work across our events and community, but it’s also personal. It feels like a promise made on that field in Madrid has finally been fulfilled. Rubio is someone who was a great mentor and leader in international officiating. I am glad to have fulfilled my promise to him.”
FIFA BEACH SOCCER PATHWAY
From early morning matches on the sand in Santa Cruz and San Francisco to eligibility for FIFA competitions worldwide, the journey of Apple-Chiarella and Garcia Corredor shows that a true pathway now exists for beach soccer referees in the United States.
Their appointments mark a landmark moment for U.S. beach soccer. A proud one for the events and community that helped shape their careers.
