This referee will lead the match PSV - AZ for the Johan Cruyff Shield

For PSV, the 2026/2027 season begins on Sunday, August 2 in the Johan Cruijff Shield against Cup winner AZ. At 6 p.m., Peter Bosz’s team kicks off at the home Philips Stadium.

The KNVB has appointed Serdar Gözübüyük as referee in the battle for the first prize of the new football season. For Gözübüyük, this will be the third time that the official may referee the season opener.

The first time Haarlemmer was the referee in the Johan Cruijff Shield in the fight, was in the 2016/2017 season when PSV, as reigning national champions, won 0-1 against Cup Winner Feyenoord. Two years later, Gözübüyük refereed again when the match between PSV and Feyenoord took place.

Back then, Feyenoord won on penalties at the Philips Stadium. In Eindhoven, during the match PSV - AZ the referee gets Patrick Inia and Rogier Honig as assistant referees. Jeroen Manschot is the fourth official.

Pol van Boekel will act as VAR. The match between PSV and AZ will be the thirtieth time that the Johan Cruijff Shield is at stake.

PSV won this award fifteen times and is therefore also the record holder. Moreover, Peter Bosz’s side are the defending champions since PSV won 2-1 at home against Go Ahead Eagles last season.