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 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 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!