Sigurd Kringstad to Referee Albion-Jablonec Match
The 38-year-old Norwegian referee will officiate the upcoming Conference League contest between Albion and Jablonec.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Soccer
Sigurd Kringstad has been named the referee for the Conference League match between Albion and Jablonec in the Czech Republic. He will lead an entirely Norwegian officiating team for the upcoming fixture.
Why it matters
Kringstad returns to international officiating following a health crisis that kept him hospitalized for three weeks with pneumonia and kidney failure. His appointment marks another major milestone following his work in the 2024 Norwegian cup final.
Kringstad, 38, has been active in the Norwegian top flight since 2017 and recently officiated the 2024 Norwegian cup final. He has issued 6 red cards across his last 7 matches.
The players
Sigurd Kringstad
He is a 38-year-old Norwegian referee who officiated the 2024 Norwegian cup final.
Kristoffer Hagenes
He is a Norwegian official who has been appointed to serve as the VAR for the match.
The details
Kringstad, a former member of the police force, successfully returned to his duties after his career was placed on hold for two years due to severe illness. Kristoffer Hagenes has also been appointed to provide support as the official assigned to VAR duty for this match.
Timeline
Kringstad entered the Norwegian top flight in 2017.
The referee officiated the Norwegian cup final in 2024.
Season Trajectory
This assignment follows the standardized international rotation of refereeing crews established by the UEFA Conference League competition structure. Kringstad's integration into these matches reflects his ongoing return to high-level officiating after his medical recovery.
The use of a high-card-count referee like Kringstad suggests a strict interpretation of match rules that could impact discipline-related betting markets. With Kristoffer Hagenes on VAR, teams can expect increased scrutiny on penalty area incidents during the match.
The takeaway
Kringstad's return to the international stage highlights the persistence required to overcome multi-year career interruptions. His recent disciplinary record serves as a reminder for players to maintain composure under strict officiating standards.
Further reading
For more on international officiating and match standards, see our Soccer coverage.
