Referees at the 2006 World Cup have won a 100 percent pay rise and will earn $40,000 each.

The refereeing bill at the month-long tournament will top $4 million, FIFA said on Tuesday.

Twenty-three referees have been chosen to run the 64 games in Germany [Images] from June 9 to July 9.

Each referee will be backed by two assistants. They will also get $40,000 as will each member of the seven "reserve" refereeing trios, even if they are not called into action.

"The fee per referee has doubled from South Korea and Japan [Images] four years ago when it was $20,000 each," FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi told a news conference on Tuesday.

"For the first time we're also giving something to the referees and assistants who don't make it. They've worked hard and come a long way, even if in the end they weren't successful."

FIFA originally had 46 referees and the 16 who did not make the cut will get $20,000 each, as will 23 unsuccessful assistants.

All that comes to $4.38 million.