Howard Webb speaks exclusively to TheFA.com ahead of World Cup Final.

On Sunday evening in Soccer City, Johannesburg, Howard Webb will take charge of the biggest game of his career, the 2010 World Cup Final.

Webb will become the first English referee since Jack Taylor in 1974 to officiate in world football's showpiece match and, when he leads Holland and Spain out of the tunnel, he says it will be a moment he could never have envisaged when he began refereeing in 1989.

"I wasn't fully aware of what was achievable really," said Webb of his early days in the middle. "I have always set myself goals but they were always really small goals. I always dreamt I'd get appointed to the bigger games, but a World Cup Final was probably beyond my wildest dreams. But I suppose it just shows what you can achieve with a lot of hard work and dedication."

Webb will be assisted in tomorrow night's Final by fellow Englishmen Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey and although Webb has attracted most of the attention since their appointment, he was full of praise for his countrymen.

"One thing that this tournament has highlighted is the value of the team and that we're only as strong as our weakest link," he said. "I'm so fortunate to have two wonderful and talented assistant referees in Darren and Mike, who have both made some really tight calls during this World Cup which have been proved correct on the video analysis. The three of us can be really proud of our achievement.

"We knew we had a chance of getting appointed to the Final, especially because our other (World Cup) games had gone well, but when we actually received the call the feeling amongst us was just euphoric really. It's a moment which I'll probably never forget."

Webb will become the first referee to take charge of the UEFA Champions League Final and the World Cup Final in the same season, reward, he believes, for all the hours he has put into the game over the years and he hopes to act as an inspiration to any young person thinking about picking up a whistle.

"It would be great to think that our appointment might motivate younger people to get into refereeing because we are a bit low on numbers in England," he admitted. "It's a great game to be in and if you are lucky enough to eventually be appointed to a World Cup, it is a fantastic experience.

"Looking a bit further ahead, somebody will have to referee the 2030 World Cup Final and why shouldn't it be another English referee? There's a lot of work going on in England to bring new referees into the game and to give them the support and training they need, and with the correct work ethic and application, anything is possible, which we've proven.

"We've got over 30,000 referees in England and I'm sure all of them will be behind us tomorrow night," he continued. "And, to be honest, I think that extends further to the whole of the English game. The level of support we've received since the news broke has been truly overwhelming. I hope we do the English game proud."

Webb admitted he would probably suffer from a few pre-match butterflies, which is fully understandable given the enormity of the fixture, but he says his experience of the Champions League Final in May should stand him, and his assistants, in good stead.

"Our experience in Madrid will undoubtedly help in this Final because we know what it will be like to be part of a huge occasion and it gives us something to benchmark against. We are lucky to have been appointed to two massive games within a matter of months and we're confident in our ability to control the game.

"It could be a long night, it could be two hours, go to extra-time and penalties. But we'll be fully prepared and concentrated for whatever is in store for us. It could be a difficult game, it could be a straightforward game - hopefully the latter - but we'll be physically and mentally prepared for every possible outcome.

"It's a great honour and a great challenge for us and we'll try and enjoy the occasion as much as we can."

The 38-year-old from Rotherham has received a huge number of good luck messages over the last couple of days from across the game, including one from Taylor ("a refereeing icon" according to Webb), and although these messages do help to maintain morale and confidence, Webb did admit he finds it difficult being away from his family for such a long time.

"It is quite challenging because we've been away from our families and friends for just shy of six weeks now," he said. "The world is a lot smaller place these days with all the modern technology and we've been able to stay in touch with things like Skype and that has helped, although it's obviously not anywhere near the same as being at home with your loved ones.

"We've been kept busy by FIFA with training and the various meetings, and it all culminates in Johannesburg tomorrow, so it won't be too long before we're home again."

And if Webb, Mullarkey and Cann perform to their usual high standards this evening they will no doubt be afforded a very warm homecoming, not just by their families but by the whole of the English game.

For more information about becoming a referee, visit www.TheFA.com/Referee