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.
Match #32
Group D
19 June 2026, 21:00 CET
Lumen Field, Seattle
USA - AUSTRALIA
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GER
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Dietz GER
Fourth Official: Katia Garcia MEX
Reserve AR : Sandra Ramirez MEX
Vidéo Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee 1 : Hamza El Fariq MAR
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee 2 : Bram Van Driessche BEL
For me missed YC on 8' for reckless challenge.
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamable.com/kqy2s6
DeleteIn isolation yes, but if you have a look at his management of the game and lack of YC early, then I think perfect. It is understandable
DeleteMissed YC for Leckie
ReplyDeleteClear YC missed
ReplyDeleteCorrect YC on 16 for reckless use of arms/SPA to AUS #5
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamable.com/pwasix
Delete"What I dislike most about Zwayer is how much he talks to the players."
ReplyDeleteIf refs talk you guys say, if refs don't talk you guys say...
DeletePlayer management
DeleteCorrect first YC
ReplyDeleteMinute 18: USA player blatantly and deliberately stands exactly in front of the ball to prevent the restart of play and doesn’t respect the required distance. Yellow card needs to be given.
ReplyDeleteYes, he should retreat, but when the ball is immediately smashed at him with the aim not to start play, but purely to get his opponent booked, it seems the norm to have a word, nothing more, and that seems reasonable
DeleteWhat the opponent did doesn’t matter. He can be given a yellow even if the opponent doesn’t kick the ball. Because that was his intention. Teammates were open.
DeleteThis is a IFAB problem, not a referee problem. Defenders can stand in front of the ball without consequence. Australia were looking to play the ball quickly but 1) Zwayer didn’t give warning to player 2) Didn’t give warning and therefore not enough time for him to retreat 3) Defender stood still didn’t move into the path of the ball
DeleteIt’s not an IFAB problem. The law is clear.
DeleteDisclaimer that I am from the USA. You wonder how much that missed yellow card at 8’ effects the future challenges until the given yellow card at 16’. Also wonder what carry over there is from the recent “friendly” between the USA and Australia.
ReplyDeleteThe other issue is the public commentary too, that will play into the feeling of this match
DeleteAcutally, after this short discussion I reminded Letexier and what I like to him, communicate when necessary, short with authority, and immediately start with cards!
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen several of your comments on other matches where you always bring up Letexier in one way or another; yes, he’s a great referee, but I think you always try to make everything revolve around him, which isn’t fair. So, I’m asking you to focus on the referees in question without constantly making those kinds of comparisons—and not just regarding Zwayer.
DeleteJust brings up good referees :), and yes there were a lot of comments about Letexier from my side,fully depended on meritocracy.
Delete+1 agree with diego612
Delete@diego Letexier is perfect, he's the gold standard every other referee should be held to. It's only natural to then compare others with him at every given chance.
DeleteSFP maybe?
ReplyDeleteNow similar tackle to one that Messi made. Now correctly given YC.
ReplyDeleteYC 32' Clip: https://streamable.com/4ttvti
DeleteGood YC, saw the contact and had to give especially after no YC 8m
DeleteAustralian player very fortunate that the contact was glancing. Planted contact there would be a RC (unless you're Messi).
ReplyDeleteYC right decision for me
Correct YC for reckless challenge on 31' not enough force or contact for SFP for me
ReplyDeleteTerrible caution 3 AUS
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's onside
ReplyDeleteBoth players in offside position, didn’t become active or interfere with goal keeper either so good call there too (but pretty easy)
DeleteFull-Sequence: https://streamable.com/jzjm5d
DeleteNo impact from USA #10?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't block the defender and no impact on the GK as well, he had to go for the ball one way or another
DeleteOnside player made the GK act the exact same way regardless. The offside player didn’t impact on his ability to play the ball or make an impact on him.
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DeleteI disagree, the goal scorer who scored the goal was near the ball, the other player was in the view of the goal keeper but was too far away from the ball to make an impact. Close but no offside offense
DeleteDifficult situation for AR1
ReplyDeleteThe goal scorer is onside but #20 is running towards the ball and goalkeeper can be distracted.
ReplyDeleteGK was focused on the ball. No impact. Onside standing player made an impact.
DeleteGreat handball decision 45’+4
ReplyDeleteEvery contact in the box is a foul according to zwayer. Let the game flow
ReplyDelete+1
Delete+1 "The ball was in play for 20 minutes ..
DeleteI like his attitude towards shirt pulling and grappling in the box. Too much of this stuff happening and not enough referees brave to call. This is a FIFA/IFAB problem not a Zwayer problem
DeleteI think a very good half from Zwayer. What looked like it could have turned into a battle, calmed down after the opening minutes, and he's kept complete control. Happy to talk, but also much quicker to tell people to go away, so we haven't seen some of the mobbing from elsewhere. The opening foul (6') was probably more reckless than not, but just a word was fine. Equally, the second YC lacked the force for SFP (or a Fifa WC one anyway). Tough for AR1 on the goal, it was quite a clear onside, but through the sea of bodies, understandable the error. A good consistent foul line, 2 very good handballs spotted. It's been a very Zwayeresque perfromance, but an in form one. Very good!
ReplyDelete(On a seperate note, don't know why we need an announcement for offsides, we learn nothing from them. England did away with them during the trial in the cup phase, FIFA should too. But at least Felix was clear!)
+1
DeleteAgree with your analysis:
Delete- AR1 was correct to flag because of the offside player getting involved in play but correct VAR intervention to say that there was no offside offence.
- Announcement: Should have mentioned offside player didn’t become active.
I’d also mention that Zwayer is trying to let the game flow, minor contacts let go but has to be careful with two physical teams where multiple soft contacts will lead to a bigger challenges. Managed okay to now
Good man management at the end of half speaking to Aus LB to talk to him (I think about going down at every bit of contact)
A fairly positive first half for me from Zwayer. Missed YC on 8' would have set his stall out well for me. Correct YC's on 16' and 31' (well recognised for the glancing contact) and generally has had a good foul detection. Offside decision by AR1 for USA 2nd goal is unfortunate and not much blame can be attributed as it was a fairly difficult situation. Good use of VAR and a good announcement too with clear explanation. Positioning and fitness at a standard we expect.
ReplyDeleteVery good from Zayer. I like how he whistle the game.
DeleteHow is anybody saying that was a good half from Zwayer?
ReplyDeleteHe's intimidated by the USA crowd and got a drop ball wrong that lead to a USA chance, soft free kicks.
Plus VAR ruling a player who is less than a metre from the Keeper to be onside and not having an impact?
Keeper has view on the Ball all the time and is not obstructed in his movement towards the ball from the Player in question, correct decision for me to award the goal.
DeleteHave a look at the still of the shot, the other USA is less than a metre from the keeper and the ball. He is CLEARLY offside and USA gain an advantage. Horrible intervention or at least not to have Zwayer look to decide on impact at the screen.
DeleteLook at the position of the ball, the goal keeper didn’t have to be concerned about that player at all. Had he got closer to the ball maybe, contact with the goal keeper? Then definitely.
DeleteYes the American crowd has cheered every decision but I wouldn’t say that’s intimidated. Australia has been completely dominated by the high press, so defensive, unable to hold the ball, unable to pass out and the American’s have been the better team. Sometimes it appears when the game is so one sided that the referee is only calling one side but it is a consequence of the game not of intimidation.
Just saying that it's been a bit odd, US crowd boos and then a soft free kick. Such as the one that lead to that play.
DeleteAnd on the offside, I've see it called offside many times for being in the vicinity
The position of the Player in offside Position is irrelevant, as long as he 1) doesn't impact the view of the Keeper on the ball (clearly no here, Ball was high in the air all the time) or 2) he directly attacks the Keeper from gaining to the ball, this can also denied as the Keeper is free to jump to the Ball but misses him.
DeleteI understand that, but just saying regularly seen that ruled out for offside given the proximity of the offside player. But guess different interpretations in each jurisdiction
DeleteDoesn't the players need to leave the field after treatment? After about 40minute there was a clash, where one player from both team needed treatment, but they were allowed to stay on pitch
ReplyDeleteBoth must leave for 1 minute.
DeleteNow both were allowed to stay on pitch
DeleteCheck the wording of the new law. There are exceptions to the 1 minute injury rule. Also remember the spirit and intention of the change, to prevent time wasting and feigning injury. Very clear this was a head clash.
DeleteNo, in the event of a head injury, players are not necessarily required to leave the field of play after treatment. Special protective regulations apply to head injuries that differ from the standard "on-field treatment break
DeleteShould the referee always make an interpretation, if it might be a head injury, and if it is, then you can stay on the pitch after treatment? I can understand this situation, but how should you make the interpretation?
Deletewell when two Players collide with their head and receive treatment there, it is rather obvious.
DeleteAnd pretty sure medical Team can't "fake" here something, as they always need to treat the part of the Body that got hit/injured.
This one I can understand, but in general it can sometimes be difficult to determine. Do players start to fake head injuries?
DeleteIf I were Zwayer and took a photo with Ciara before kick off , I probably wouldn't be able to focus on the game either. :)"
ReplyDeleteMore respect please. He has his family.
Deletesenseless, stupid remark
DeleteLol just for fun.. come on ..
DeleteHOW DARE YOU make a joke. Disrespectful, despicable, disgusting!
DeleteIt's not fun. And Felix is doing a good match.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@mq are you okay my friend ?? . I just used myself as an example.
DeleteGuys, you're overreacting. He didn't say anything bad. Calm down."
DeleteClip YC 56': https://streamable.com/wzguun
ReplyDeleteFoul on Metcalfe running into the box? A goal would be ruled out for that the other way round…
ReplyDeleteFor me it is a pen, USA player didn’t see the AUS player but contact was clear. I feel that Zwayer missed it because the AUS player came out of the side of his vision.
DeleteIF Zwayer missed the contact, then VAR should have called OFR. Zwayer clearly showed that he saw the incident, waved the finger no, so VAR didn’t intervene. Clear missed penalty for Zwayer.
Clip: https://streamable.com/1l9wpp
DeleteIMO no punishable contact. The attacker is moving in the way of the US defender. That is an "accident", but nothing punishable for me.
Delete@AFC Referee Rep: Zwayer did show that he had no perception of the scene as he was focused on the player with the ball
MASSIVE foul missed by Zwayer
ReplyDeleteNo foul for body check on Aus attacker. Good strong defending. Zwayer letting the game flow
DeleteMetcalfe fouled in the box which stopped Irankunda playing the ball back inside to him.
DeleteThen let a clear cut push go.
73' I really like this whistle. USA still had the ball, many might want advantage, but there was increasing heat in the Australian challenges in that moment. Read well to stop play, to allow the heat to reduce
ReplyDeleteHandball on 75'?
ReplyDelete"It should have been a penalty."
ReplyDeleteVery tense match now.
ReplyDeleteAustralia have been quite unlucky with the KMIs here. Other way round and I think USA would have benefitted too
ReplyDeleteZwayer with no brave calls tonight,we know see what FIFA does to refs.
ReplyDeleteIt takes away all their courage to make decisions.
Soft foul in the box number 86
ReplyDeleteInteresting handball call here: USA player pushes the AUS player and it makes contact with his hand in an unnatural position. It’s natural position because the push on Aus player with hands is a natural action?
ReplyDeleteZwayer in a perfect position, makes on field call and good call by VAR to not review.