2022 FIFA World Cup - Referee predictions - Round of 16 (I)

Send us your predictions for the "first half" of Round of 16 Games!

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Friday 2/Dec

The last set of referee appointments for group stage has been published. Facundo Tello gets his second appointment, being in charge of South Korea - Portugal in group H. Elfath returns in Cameroon - Brazil, Siebert with the deciding tie Ghana - Uruguay and Rapallini to officiate the hot game involving Serbia and Switzerland. 

Games 39 and 40 - Danny Makkelie and Michael Oliver in Group C MD3 (discussion)

The first 2022 FIFA WC game with a referee breaking confederations rule is Poland - Argentina. Danny Makkelie will oversee this clash. On the other hand, English referee Michael Oliver will control Saudi Arabia - Mexico. Let's follow everything about group C deciding games here. 

Games 37 and 38 - Mustapha Ghorbal and Matthew Conger in Group D MD3 (discussion)

Group D ends with the last two games. Let's follow the officiating crews in this discussion. 

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Thursday 1/Dec

Stéphanie Frappart the first woman to officiate at WC: she has been assigned to Costa Rica - Germany, decisive game for qualification. Anthony Taylor gets a crucial game involving two European sides as second appearance, the same for Raphael Claus in the other game of group F.  Victor Gomes from South Africa will be the man in the middle for Japan - Spain. 

Games 33 and 34 - Slavko Vinčić and Antonio Mateu Lahoz in Group B MD3 (discussion)

Antonio Mateu Lahoz in Iran - USA and Slavko Vincic in Wales - England are about to officiate decisive games of group B. Let's comment their performance here. 

Games 35 and 36 - Clément Turpin and Bakary Gassama in Group A MD3 (discussion)

We start with a single discussion for all paired games from the same group on MD3. First stage is Group A with Turpin and Gassama in charge. 

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Wednesday 30/Nov

FIFA has decided to break the confederations rule by appointing Danny Makkelie in Poland - Argentina, decisive game in group C. The Dutch will officiate his second game at WC only a few days after his first appearance. The complex scenario in the group was probably the reason for this delay of appointments. To follow, Conger from NZL will have his debut in Tunisia - France, game that can be important only for African side, but the challenge for qualifying is extremely difficult for them. Ghorbal at this second appointment in Australia - Denmark, while Oliver will do the same in Saudi Arabia - Mexico. 

Game 32 - Alireza Faghani in Portugal vs. Uruguay (discussion)

Alireza Faghani gets a second assignment, being the referee in charge of Portugal - Uruguay. Let's see how he will perform. 

Game 31 - Iván Barton in Brazil - Switzerland (discussion)

After Germany - Japan, El Salvador's referee  Iván Barton is in charge of Brazil - Switzerland. Let's see how he will perform. 

Game 30 - Anthony Taylor in South Korea vs. Ghana (discussion)

Anthony Taylor is among the last referees making their debut in the competition. He is about to officiate South Korea - Ghana, let's follow closely his performance. 

Game 29 - Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed in Cameroon vs. Serbia (discussion)

Second appearance for the Emirati referee, in  charge of Cameroon - Serbia. Let's comment his performance. 

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Tuesday 29/Nov

Matchday 3 starts with the games in group A and B on Tuesday 29 November. FIFA has assigned Antonio Mateu Lahoz to the very particular clash involving Iran and USA, crucial for qualification. Slavko Vincic from Slovenia will handle the "UK derby" between Waless and England, French UEFA Elite Clément Turpin will be in charge of Ecuador - Senegal, a play off for qualification. To conclude the set of appointments, WC debut for Bakary Gassama in the rather unimportant game with Netherlands and Qatar. The home team has been alreaduy eliminated from the tournament. 

Game 28 - Danny Makkelie in Spain vs. Germany (discussion)

To complete Sunday games, Makkelie will be the man in the middle for the European clash between Spain and Germany in Al Khor. We can discuss about his performance in this post. 

Game 27 - Andrés Matonte in Croatia vs. Canada (discussion)

Andrés Matonte from Uruguay will make his WC debut in Croatia - Canada. We comment about his performance in this discussion. 

Game 26 - César Ramos in Belgium vs. Morocco (discussion)

Second game for Mexican referee César Ramos, he will control the tie between Belgium and Morocco, let's comment here about his perfomance. 

Game 25 - Michael Oliver in Japan vs. Costa Rica (discussion)

The English referee about to make his debut at WC in Japan - Costa Rica, let's follow his performance.

2022 FIFA World Cup - Referee predictions - Results for Matchday 2

Please find below the scores after MD2. 

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Monday 28/Nov

The last set of referee appointments for MD2: Anthony Taylor will make his debut in South Korea - Ghana, second assignment for Alireza Faghani with Portugal - Uruguay, the same goes for Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed with Cameroon - Serbia and Iván Barton with Brazil - Switzerland.

Discussion page for FRADEN (Marciniak) and ARGMEX (Orsato)

A second World Cup experience for the Polish crew headed by Szymon Marciniak. They start in 2022 on a sonorous all-Euro tie: France against Denmark. In addition, the late game will be handled by Daniele Orsato. One could expect the Italian to have his hands full in Argentina vs. Mexico. Discussions here.

Game 22 - Wilton Sampaio in Poland vs. Saudi Arabia (discussion)

Second game for Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio, we comment here his perfomance in Poland - Saudi Arabia. 

Game 21 - Daniel Siebert in Tunisia vs. Australia (discussion)

German referee Daniel Siebert will make his World Cup debut in Tunisia - Australia. The rising star from  Germany is expected to show his skills that in recent past lead him to the selection for the major tournament in Qatar. A special wish of good luck. 

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Sunday 27/Nov

Danny Makkelie with the European big match Spain - Germany, Matonte from Uruguay in charge of Croatia - Canada, César Ramos with his second game in Belgium - Morocco and Oliver to referee the clash between Japan and Costa Rica. FIFA still keeps the (unwritten) confederations rule.

Game 20 - Jesús Valenzuela in England vs. United States (discussion)

Valenzuela earns the distinction of becoming the first referee from his country to handle a World Cup fianls match - the Venezuelan official begins on the sonorous England vs. USA game. Discussion here.

Game 19 - Mustapha Ghorbal in Netherlands vs. Ecuador (discussion)

Algerian official will be on hand to officiate this Group A tie. Let's see how he performs!

 

Game 18 - Antonio Mateu Lahoz in Qatar vs. Senegal (discussion)

Spanish debut at this WC with Antonio Mateu in charge of home-team Qatar's second game against Senegal. 

Game 17 - Mario Escobar in Wales vs. Iran (discussion)

Mario Escobar from Guatemala will kick off MD2 of 2022 FIFA World Cup by officiating the game between Wales and Iran in Al-Rayyan. Let's comment his performance. 

Game 16 - Alireza Faghani in Brazil vs. Serbia (discussion)

Final game of matchday one, and déjà vu for Alireza Faghani - again he will handle a Brazil vs. Serbia tie, one of four matches he refereed (well) at the last World Cup. Discussion here.

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Sat 26/Nov

The big one for Daniele Orsato - the referee of the opening game will be on the whistle for Argentina vs. Mexico. Second assignment also for Wilton Sampaio, whereas UEFA's Daniel Siebert and Szymon Marciniak make their tournament bows. FIFA's Day 7 appointments here.

Game 15 - Ismail Elfath in Portugal vs. Ghana (discussion)

America's World Cup referee makes his bow in Qatar - Ismail Elfath and his crew will control Portugal against Ghana in Group H. Let's analyse the decisions beneath this post.

Game 14 - Clément Turpin in Uruguay vs. Korea Rep (discussion)

The third referee after Tullio Lanese and Wolfgang Stark to referee this clash at the World Cup - Clément Turpin can hope for a more satisfying afternoon for him and his crew than the officials experienced in Udine and Port Elizabeth respectively. Discussion about the 2022 edition here!

Game 13 - Facundo Tello in Switzerland vs. Cameroon (discussion)

After Rapallini, the second Argentinian referee makes his debut at 2022 World Cup, Tello will referee Switzerland - Cameroon, let's comment his game here. 

Game 9 - Janny Sikazwe in Belgium vs. Canada (discussion)

After the health issues experienced during 2021 AFCON, the referee from Zambia is back in big tournaments and he is about to officiate Belgium - Canada at 2022 FIFA World Cup. Wishing him a good game! 

2022 FIFA World Cup - Referee predictions - Matchday 3

Predictions game continues with MD3. 

Game 10 - Mohammed Abdullah Hassan Mohamed in Spain vs. Costa Rica (discussion)

The referee from UAE is in charge of Spain - Costa Rica, let's discuss his performance.

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Friday 25/Nov

Appointments for the first set of MD2 games, to be played on 25 November.  Spanish Mateu Lahoz will control the decisive game involving home-team, while Valenzuela will referee the clash between England and USA. To complete assignments, Escobar will be in charge of Wales - Iran, while Ghorbal has been selected as man in the middle for Netherlands - Ecuador. 

Game 11 - Iván Barton in Germany vs. Japan (discussion)

After his compatriot Joel Aguilar, now it's Iván Barton's turn to officiate at World Cup. He starts with Germany - Japan. Let's discuss here.

Game 9 - Fernando Rapallini in Morocco vs. Croatia (discussion)

After their decisive group stage clash vs. Scotland at the last EURO, Fernando Rapallini reencounters Croatia - the Argentine match official takes charge of the first game of Day 4. Please discuss here!

2022 FIFA World Cup - Referee predictions - Results for Matchday 1

Please find below the scores after MD1. 

Game 8 - Victor Gomes in France vs. Australia (discussion)

CAF make their bow in the tournament on the pitch - the referee of the last AFCON final handles the winners of the last World Cup final, the French have Australia. Discuss the officials' work here.

Game 7: Chris Beath in Mexico vs. Poland (discussion)

Big game for the phlegmatic Aussie - perhaps the key match in Group C. 

Let's talk about his refereeing here.

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Thurs 24/Nov

 FIFA have made their choices for the last four games of matchday one.

Game 6: César Ramos in Denmark vs. Tunisia (discussion)

The opening game of Group D, and the Mexican ref's fourth World Cup assignment. The important question: short or long sleeves after 2018? ;) Let's discuss!

2022 FIFA World Cup Match 8: Argentina - Saudi Arabia (discussion)

The first game of WC Day 3, Slavko Vinčić to referee Argentina - Saudi Arabia.

2022 FIFA World Cup Match 4: USA - Wales (discussion)

Fourth game of 2022 FIFA World Cup. Referee from home nation in charge of USA - Wales. 

2022 FIFA World Cup Match 2: Senegal - Netherlands (discussion)

Second game of Day 2 at 2022 World Cup, and second Brazilian referee in charge, it's Wilton Sampaio's turn, he is about to officiate Senegal - Netherlands.

2022 FIFA World Cup Match 3: England - Iran (discussion)

The first game of Day 2 at 2022 World Cup is the match between England and Iran, to be officiated by Raphael Claus from Brazil. We discuss his performance here. 

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Weds 23/Nov

Fernando Rapallini had a successful UEFA EURO 2020, and he returns for this World Cup officiating another European side - Morocco vs. Croatia for the Argentine. After Joel Aguilar, a Salvadorian also returns to the top FIFA stage, Barton refs Germany's tie with Japan. Meanwhile, 'MAHM' will reencounter Costa Rica again after the controversial playoff, and Sikazwe will reencounter the spotlights after the infamous Tunisia vs. Mali affair - where the Zambian suffered from heatstroke in the midday sun. 

World Cup 2022 - Referee appointments for Tues 22/Nov

The trios of Vinčić, Ramos, Beath and Gomes will control the four games on the third day of competition. The first four female officials also feature - always as reserves, also paired. Slovenian team mostly have UEFA teammates, Van Boekel will assist him as in Inter vs. Barcelona, and Ramos's will be mostly CONCACAF, including Guerrero heading the VOR.

Contrarily, Beath and Gomes have mostly VAR crews from the Americas, though the former's compatriot Evans will work with him; for Gomes, Drew Fischer is head VAR. 

2022 FIFA World Cup Match 1: Qatar - Ecuador (discussion)

The World Cup starts with Daniele Orsato in charge of Qatar - Ecuador. Let's discuss his performance and good luck to all referees at this tournament.