FA Appoints Barrott To Officiate Arsenal, Manchester City Community Shield
The Football Association has appointed referee Sam Barrott to take charge of the 2026 FA Community Shield between Premier League champions Arsenal and FA Cup winners Manchester City.
The traditional season opener will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, August 16, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm BST.
According to the FA, Barrott, who recently officiated at this summer's UEFA Under-19 European Championship, will be assisted by Craig Taylor and Blake Antrobus.
Farai Hallam has been named fourth official, while Alistair Nelson will serve as the reserve assistant referee.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will consist of James Bell as VAR and Tim Wood as assistant VAR (AVAR).
The Community Shield will mark Manchester City's first appearance in the competition since 2024. The FA Cup holders will also begin a new chapter under head coach Enzo Maresca following the departure of Pep Guardiola at the end of last season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, return to the Community Shield for the first time since 2023, when they defeated Manchester City on penalties after a goalless draw at Wembley.
The annual fixture traditionally pits the reigning Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners and serves as the curtain-raiser for the new English football season.
Crystal Palace are the current holders of the Community Shield after defeating Liverpool on penalties in the 2025 edition. The match finished 2-2 after normal time before Palace secured a 3-2 shootout victory at Wembley.
The traditional season opener will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, August 16, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm BST.
According to the FA, Barrott, who recently officiated at this summer's UEFA Under-19 European Championship, will be assisted by Craig Taylor and Blake Antrobus.
Farai Hallam has been named fourth official, while Alistair Nelson will serve as the reserve assistant referee.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will consist of James Bell as VAR and Tim Wood as assistant VAR (AVAR).
The Community Shield will mark Manchester City's first appearance in the competition since 2024. The FA Cup holders will also begin a new chapter under head coach Enzo Maresca following the departure of Pep Guardiola at the end of last season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, return to the Community Shield for the first time since 2023, when they defeated Manchester City on penalties after a goalless draw at Wembley.
The annual fixture traditionally pits the reigning Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners and serves as the curtain-raiser for the new English football season.
Crystal Palace are the current holders of the Community Shield after defeating Liverpool on penalties in the 2025 edition. The match finished 2-2 after normal time before Palace secured a 3-2 shootout victory at Wembley.
