O’Leary, a New Zealander, is part of a trio of Oceania match officials selected by FIFA and OFC to attend the World Cup and will preside over the second match of the championship tomorrow between Group A favourites Paraguay and Italy – a match that is being tipped as critical to both nations’ chances.
O’Leary is currently one of Oceania most experienced referees having begun his international officiating career in 2004 (Solomon Islands vs Australia).
In 2007 he officiated at the FIFA World Youth Cup in Canada and also the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan the same year. When he’s not on FIFA refereeing duties O’Leary works as a school teacher in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Also flying the flag for Oceania will be FIFA Referees’ Committee member Harry Atisson (VAN) who will be casting a keen eye over Group E officiating in Port Said as a referee assessor.
Assistant Referees Mathew Taro (SOL) and Brent Best (NZL) are the other two Oceania match officials to have passed FIFA’s stringent fitness tests and a theoretical course this week in Cairo. They will now sit-out the first round of group play as they await the second batch of officiating announcements.