Cüneyt Çakır (born 23 November 1976) is a Turkish football referee who has officiated at the highest levels of international and club competition. He is a FIFA‑listed referee, having been included on the FIFA International Referees List since 2006, and has been selected for major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.
Early life and domestic career
Çakır was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He began refereeing in the Turkish football leagues in the late 1990s and was promoted to officiate matches in the Turkish Süper Lig in 2003. His performances in domestic competition led to his inclusion on the FIFA list, allowing him to referee international fixtures.
International appointments
- UEFA European Championships: Çakır officiated matches at Euro 2012, Euro 2016, and Euro 2020. Notably, he served as the fourth official for the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.
- FIFA World Cup: He was selected as a referee for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, overseeing group‑stage matches such as Spain vs. Netherlands and Germany vs. United States. He also refereed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, including the quarter‑final between Uruguay and France.
- UEFA Champions League: Çakır has been appointed to numerous high‑profile Champions League fixtures, including knockout‑stage matches and the 2015–16 semi‑final between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
- Other tournaments: He has officiated at the FIFA Confederations Cup (2013) and the UEFA Nations League.
Recognition and style
Çakır is regarded for his fitness, ability to manage high‑pressure games, and clear communication with players. He has been nominated for UEFA’s Referee of the Year award and has received commendations from the Turkish Football Federation for his contributions to refereeing.
Controversies
Throughout his career, Çakır has been involved in several contentious decisions, as is common for officials at elite levels. Specific incidents have been reviewed by governing bodies, but no formal disciplinary actions have been recorded against him.
Retirement
As of the latest available information up to 2023, Çakır remains active in refereeing, though he has indicated plans to transition to a mentoring and supervisory role within the Turkish refereeing community after concluding his on‑field career.