Referees are expected to start training next year in preparation for the 2010 World Cup, the FIFA website confirmed today.

According to the official FIFA site, the referees and assistant referees will start training next year for the games to be held in South Africa in June or July 2010.

"Once again, groups of three from the same country, or at least from the same confederation, will be chosen to officiate there.

"Trios who had rehearsed together for a long time were one of the reasons for the referees' success at the 2006 FIFA World Cup," FIFA said.

The referees starting training four years ahead of Germany and it paid off. This time out they will be starting three years early with a view to making the 2010 World Cup the best yet.