ROTTERDAM (DA) — Curaçao-born referee Danny Makkelie has been appointed to oversee the Eurojackpot KNVB Beker final between AZ and N.E.C., adding another major domestic assignment before his expected appearance at the 2026 World Cup this summer.
The Dutch football federation said the match will mark Makkelie’s fourth national cup final as referee after previous finals in 2017, 2022 and 2025.
The 107th edition of the Dutch Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, at 6 p.m. at Stadion Feijenoord in Rotterdam.
Makkelie will be assisted on the touchlines by Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries, while Allard Lindhout will serve as fourth official. Rob Dieperink and Robin Hensgens have been assigned as VAR and assistant VAR, respectively.
The federation also said on-field announcements may again be used during the final. Under that system, the referee provides a short explanation after a VAR review or an extended VAR check once a final decision has been made.
Those explanations will be heard live in the stadium and on television as part of an effort to give more clarity on VAR decisions.
An evaluation is scheduled after the 2025/26 season before any decision is made on wider implementation of the system.