2026 FIFA WC - Referee appointments for Group Stage starting from Match #49

Appointments of match officials at 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 44: Jordan - Algeria (discussion)

Second game at the tournament for the Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić, he is in charge of Jordan - Algeria. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 41: Norway - Senegal (discussion)

Second game for Wilton Sampaio at 2026 WC, maybe the Brazilian referee will hope for a calmer match this time.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 42: France - Iraq (discussion)

The Canadian referee Drew Fischer about to make his WC debut, he will officiate France - Iraq.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 43: Argentina - Austria (discussion)

Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar will officiate Argentina - Austria, second appointments for him at 2026 World Cup.  

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 40: New Zealand - Egypt (discussion)

Not expected as main referee, but Omar Al Ali from UAE managed to get a game at 2026 World Cup: New Zealand - Egypt. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 37: Uruguay - Cape Verde (discussion)

Norwegian referee Espen Eskas will make his WC debut by officiating Uruguay - Cape Verde. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 39: Belgium - Iran (discussion)

Debut for the third Argentinian referee at 2026 WC, Dario Herrera in charge of Belgium - Iran.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 38: Spain - Saudi Arabia (discussion)

After Sampaio and Abatti, it's Raphael Claus turn, third Brazilian referee at 2026 World Cup. 

 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 36: Tunisia - Japan (discussion)

Tunisia - Japan, game nr. 36 of this tournament and the 1000th game of FIFA World Cup history. Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs will officiate it. Collina has specified that the choice has been made technically based on the game, then it's just a coincidence that it occurred to the Romanian to get this one. He will "celebrate" it with a special kit manufactured with golden ornaments. 

 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 34: Ecuador - Curaçao (discussion)

Chinese referee Ma Ning in charge of Ecuador - Curaçao at 2026 World Cup. 

 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 33: Germany - Ivory Coast (discussion)

Juan Gabriel Benitez from Paraguay will make his debut at 2026 WC in Germany - Ivory Coast.

 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 35: Netherlands - Sweden (discussion)

After a minor injury, reported by FIFA, Michael Oliver can make his debut at 2026 World Cup!

2026 FIFA WC - Referee appointments for Group Stage starting from Match #17

Appointments of match officials at 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage. 

Szymon Marciniak POL meets again Argentina 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 31: Türkiye - Paraguay (discussion)

Following the footsteps of his compatriot Joel Aguilar, Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton hopes for success at the FIFA World Cup.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 29: Brazil - Haiti (discussion)

It's a very particular story between the Spanish FIFA referee from Canary Islands and the 2026 World Cup, but no matters, when the game starts, it's all about the performance. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 30: Scotland - Morocco (discussion)

Difficult to emulate Irmatov's career, but here is a potential start nonetheless: Uzbekistan's Ilgiz Tantashev ready for his World Cup debut.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 32: USA - Australia (discussion)

Felix Zwayer has left the honor of Champions League final to his countryman Daniel Siebert, but now it's FIFA time and so, here USA - Australia at 2026 WC for him. 

Matchday 1: Review

A small review of the first twenty-four matches in the twenty-third FIFA World Cup. 

Mr Busacca, it should not work like this

In principle it is unfair to single out specific referees, and I would like to put firmly on the record that I wish Omar Al-Ali and his crew well for the New Zealand against Egypt match on Sunday evening. But, some things must be said: Al-Ali's selection as main referee is, from my perspective, one of the most dubiously-originated appointments in recent World Cup history.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 28: Mexico - South Korea (discussion)

Gustavo Tejera from Uruguay in charge of Mexico - South Korea, Group A, Matchday 2. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 27: Canada - Qatar (discussion)

In Canada - Qatar, Christian Garay from Chile will make his WC debut. Good luck to the officiating crew. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 26: Switzerland - Bosnia and Herzegovina (discussion)

João Pinheiro debut at WC, in a full European clash, Switzerland - Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 25: Czech Republic - South Africa (discussion)

Tori Penso follows the steps of Stéphanie Frappart, being the second woman to officiate at Men's World Cup. A full female trio to handle Czech Republic - South Africa. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 24: Uzbekistan - Colombia (discussion)

Anthony Taylor will be in the middle for Uzbekistan - Colombia, let's comment his performance. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 21: Ghana - Panama (discussion)

Swedish debut at 2026 World Cup, Glenn Nyberg in charge of Ghana - Panama. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 22: England - Croatia (discussion)

Clément Turpin, experienced FIFA referee, is about to offiiciate at his third World Cup. First game will be England - Croatia, a full European clash. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 23: Portugal - DR Congo (discussion)

Abdulrahman Al Jassim, Qatari referee, is set to officiate Portugal - DR Congo.  

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 20: Austria - Jordan (discussion)

A CAF mixed trio will be in charge of Austria - Jordan. Main referee is Dahane Beida from Mauritania, at his WC debut. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 19: Argentina - Algeria (discussion)

2022 WC Final referee, Szymon Marciniak, will meet again Argentina. He will officiate the game between the South American national team and Algeria. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 18: Iraq - Norway (discussion)

Pierre Atcho from Gabon will be the man in the middle for Iraq - Norway. Let's follow his performance closely! 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 17: France Senegal (discussion)

It's the fourth WC for Alireza Faghani, the third as main referee. His first game is France - Senegal. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 15: Iran - New Zealand (discussion)

César Ramos, experienced WC referee, will officiate Iran - New Zealand, his first game at this tournament. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 13: Saudi Arabia - Uruguay (discussion)

Maurizio Mariani, Italian referee, will make his WC debut in Saudi Arabia - Uruguay. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 16: Belgium - Egypt (discussion)

It's the debut for Ramon Abatti, second Brazilian referee to whistle a game at this tournament, after Sampaio in the opener. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 14: Spain - Cape Verde (discussion)

Jordan referee Adham Makhadmeh in charge of Spain - Cape Verde.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 12: Sweden - Tunisia (discussion)

Yael Falcón is the second referee from Argentina to officiate a game at this tournament, he will be in charge of Sweden - Tunisia. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 9: Ivory Coast - Ecuador (discussion)

François Letexier has replaced Michael Oliver in this game, following a minor injury by the English referee. We wish Oliver a speedy recovery and Letexier a good game! 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 11: Netherlands - Japan (discussion)

US referee Ismail Elfath will officiate Netherlands - Japan on domestic soil. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 10: Germany - Curaçao (discussion)

CAF officiating crew in charge of Germany - Curaçao. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed  will officiate the game. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 6: Australia - Türkiye (discussion)

Jesús Valenzuela in the middle for Australia -  Türkiye, let's comment his performance.  

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 5: Haiti - Scotland (discussion)

The trio from Algeria will officiate Haiti - Scotland, good luck to Ghorbal and his team! 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 7: Brazil - Morocco (discussion)

CONMEBOL - CAF clash for Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić. He is in charge of Brazil - Morocco. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 8: Qatar - Switzerland (discussion)

Said Martinez from Honduras is the first referee from CONCACAF to officiate at 2026 World Cup.

 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 4: USA - Paraguay (discussion)

Debut of an UEFA crew at the World Cup: Dutch Danny Makkelie in charge of USA - Paraguay. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 3: Canada - Bosnia and Herzegovina (discussion)

Third game of 2026 World Cup. Facundo Tello will officiate the host Canada against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Wilton Sampaio (BRA) in charge of 2026 WC opener Mexico - South Africa (Referee appointments Group Stage, Games 1-16)

The early assignments for 2026 World Cup have been released  by FIFA. Games to be playes on 11 and 12 June 2026.

Wilton Sampaio with the opener: candidate for the final? 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 2: South Korea - Czech Republic (discussion)

Second game of the tournament, and it's the debut for the Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar. 

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 1: Mexico - South Africa (discussion)

WC 2026 kick off. Referee Wilton Sampaio from Brazil will be  in charge of the opener, Mexico - South Africa. 

Omar Abdulkadir Artan (SOM) to officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup

34-year-old Artan has been on the FIFA international list since 2018 and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.