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.
DeleteAFC Referee Rep: You're wrong in all of your 3 points. 1) The referee is not required to warn anyone - it's the player's responsibility to know the Law. 2) "Time to retreat" starts at the moment the foul is called - that's the precise moment any defending player is supposed to start retreating. 3) "Defender stood still" - and that's exactly where he broke Law 13 - he wasn't retreating... Isn't that beautiful? 🤷♂️🤷♂️
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.
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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'?
ReplyDeleteZwayer had a really clear view of it. I assume he described it correctly so confirmed. One of them, in the act of normal contact with his opponent, the hand didn't stop a shot or anything like that, but was very open. To be honest, not 100% sure how Fifa wants that to be read. Personally, coming from a place you almost have to catch it for a handball to be given, I'm more than happy with playon
DeleteIm fairly in agreement, for me though if the US player isnt sticking his hands out to push his opponent then he doesn't handball it. So for me then the arm is in an unnatural position and penalty should be awarded.
DeleteAgree with you Osman, pushing a player should not be considered a natural body movement. In fact, the USA def was so focused on the Aus att that he didn’t see the ball coming. For me, it is a handball and penalty.
DeleteAgree DB, how does FIFA want us to interpret these actions?
"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
ReplyDeleteAgree, Aus must feel unlucky here not to at least get one of these decisions.
DeleteZwayer 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.
wow clear penalty missed https://x.com/jedi_g13/status/2068070923555746220?s=46
ReplyDeleteAnd level of protests and mobbing that are unpunished is insane.
ReplyDeleteHis first should also be his last match on this tournament
ReplyDeleteSoft foul in the box number 9000
ReplyDelete83’ Non pen call
ReplyDeleteNot surprised that it isn’t given because of the high threshold. But a challenge from behind, taking out the players legs? Pen for me would be supported
And now major altercation,3 YC's at once.
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamable.com/6jaqsn
DeleteHe totaly lost it
ReplyDelete@hans Please can I ask how you would have dealt with that situation?
DeleteThere were so many moments earlier in this match where he could > should have acted sooner and more decisively, which could have prevented this moment.
DeleteVery tense match now, this is the consequence when you let so many careless fouls go and then the intensity of the challenges increase. This is the consequence.
ReplyDeleteThis is not Zwayer’s fault, this is what FIFA want and he has delivered exactly the performance expected in letting the game flow.
Called a non foul when the Aus and USA players combine in the air. He needed to call that foul to calm the match down but very harsh foul to give in the context of the game. Can understand why the Aus player feels hard done by
DeleteAgree,and when you have performances like 20 years ago with Ivanov and card fest that he produced,then someone loke Blatter comes out and says that ref was terrible.
DeleteThier wrong narrative is that ref who punishes players is weak ref.
That's why UEFA has been superior in that department in some time.
100% agree with you here, it’s been a solid performance in a tough game. He has delivered the type of performance that FIFA want at this World Cup and has done well in balancing letting the game flow, calling fouls and handing out cards when necessary. I don’t think anyone, maybe apart from Faghani from other confeds who could deliver such a performance
DeleteCan we say either than opening match that this was the most challenging match so far?
ReplyDeleteAs always his matches looks like a war. It's so painful seeing that.
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DeleteOne of the worst refereeing performances of the tournament
ReplyDeleteAnd from the British TV commentators, they've provided him with much praise. Maybe big picture not so bad...
DeleteNot agree at all
DeleteAnd now cramps for Zwayer.
ReplyDeleteNot a good look for sure.
Clip YC 90+3' + Medical assistance:
Deletehttps://streamable.com/78i3rq
Icing on the cake. Poor performance from Zwayer.
ReplyDeleteNow he has cramped up, a chance for Garcia possibly to see out the game.
ReplyDeleteNope fine to continue
DeleteREFEREE IS CRAMPING!! Incredible
ReplyDeleteI wanna see you in 90+ minute when you trip. Cramps are the obvious thing then. Hope he didn't injure himself there
DeleteI’ll be honest, in similar conditions in Asia you don’t see the referee’s cramping, very rare sight. Very hot conditions at a show piece event, especially when Australia are trying to push for a goal. Goal difference will be key in the third place teams going through to the Knock Out Stages
DeleteZwayer tripped on the way to the foul.
ReplyDeleteGuys. Goodbye this is too much.
ReplyDeleteWay to many haters here. Just straight up unqualified comments
DeleteIm so sorry for you @ZwayerBrazil... I agree this is too much. There are some people here who are just stupid persons.
DeleteIt's becoming a disgrace at the moment. Where was this smoke for Vincic and Marciniak? Zwayer was good.
DeleteSiebert cast some kind of spell on Zwayer, something like: "I refereed PSG vs. Arsenal and I should be at the World Cup, not him. That's why he got injured." (laughs)
DeleteJust send zwayer home and save him the embarrassment
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about?
DeleteWhat is your mission here?
So many people just hating on Zwayer here
DeleteZwayer doesnt look 100% even after treatment.
ReplyDeleteI haven't kept statistics, but I think this is game with most YCs by far
ReplyDeleteSo many people on this blog are always so dramatic, see Penso's match or this one, 2 sides of the same coin... No different from "normal" fans... I must be watching a different match...
ReplyDeleteExactly
Delete+1
DeleteIt's been a challenging game and I think generally the sanctions from Zwayer have been good. A few of the above comments with absurdly hyperbolic negative comments are just a bit silly.
ReplyDeleteI feel for him with the cramp at the end but the referees are covering more distance than most of the players with a lot of big sprints and dynamic movements. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often
Plus he also tripped on his way over, that definitely caused that...
DeleteWorst refereeing of all the games so far.
ReplyDeleteCompletely disagree
DeleteI couldn't disagree more
DeleteWow. There were many worse performances in much easier matches to handle
DeleteAre you Siebert?
DeleteHahaha
DeleteI counted two missed penalty calls for Australia
DeleteWorst performance? Harsh Don’t think so but the penalty decisions are interesting. I think the context of being the home nation and being such a high difficulty match should be taken into consideration when assessing his performance.
DeleteWow,I dont see the reason for so mutch bad comments. Good performance by Zwayer,with a little bit inconsistency in decision making,technical way, and some mandatory Yellow card missed. Two Var corrections,but nothing so bad. At the end,injury(hope he is well, wish him all the best), but hope to see him one more in GS.
ReplyDeleteImo a good performance. Only the handball by Berhalter was more a penalty than none.
DeleteWell, I have nothing against Zwayer, but today wasn’t good enough in player management in my view.
ReplyDeleteAgain definitely not the worst performance of the tournament but certainly some decisions I would like to look back on and analyse tomorrow morning. A very interesting performance with a far more challenging second half than first. Certainly sympathy for the referee towards the end tried to put a brave face on in a difficult situation
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteSome stupid comments from people who fancy themselves refereeing experts but are just laypeople who have never actually officiated a match—total losers
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI apologise for going OTT on my comments;
ReplyDeleteZwayer was far from the worst performance of the tournament but just felt that key decisions were 50/50 and seemingly favoured the hosts a lot. The offside/onside call is contentious, seen them called offside here in similar situations.
No doubt home crowd got the US a bit more of the 50/50s as any home team does. Hope was just cramp for Zwayer and not more
Correct offside call. No controversy. FIFA will have given directives on how they want the offside to be called as opposed to instructions from confeds or home comps
DeleteDon't know what everyone is on about, thought the perfomance was well considering FIFA's apparent standards. Curious to see if the USA#4 and AUS#8 collision will be something they say should have been given as a penalty.
ReplyDeleteI agree,so many harsh comments like he killed someone.
ReplyDeleteAtleast he issued YC for potential SFP,something that Marciniak did not see or pretented not to see.
We saw potential penalty cases bit obviously ref cam be backed since VAR did not intervene.
Missed YC's but when you look that 7 were shown and with FIFA policy they are probably cursing Zwayer for even showing that much.
What I would like to see is that they change their approach towards dissents and mobbing,no punishment in that department so far is just ridiculous.
I think the comments on both extremes are a little crazy. However, I do think he came into this match with a laissez-faire attitude - perhaps thinking it was two Anglo nations and he could approach it as an easier match.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ref New Gen for his/her great work with the videos. Very kind of you, thank you.
ReplyDelete@xabi <3 very nice words from you, as always.
DeleteYes, thank you!
DeleteAgreed entirely
DeleteVery, very challenging game for Zwayer. A lot of tensions and a lot of YCs, all of them correct, could have been more even. Overall, he saw the game through, but it wasn't easy at all and he will need good rest and recovery after very demanding game.
ReplyDeleteOne general question; Are we seeing more fouls being given in this tournament/recent tournaments all because a player goes down in a generally legitimate contest?
ReplyDeleteAre we talking about set pieces and corners? Or are you talking about general play?
DeleteBit of both, the set pieces and corners mostly
Delete"This game totally gave me Euro 2024 Turkey-Czechia vibes... high-tension and many cards. Kovacs was sent home after that game, and Zwayer’s fate will likely be the same."
ReplyDeleteI dont think so,this game wqs not deciding and also you did not have 14 or how many more cards were shown.
DeleteSo I dont think Zwayer is done.
Turkey vs Czechia was different. 28 yellows, 3 reds... it's not quite the same
DeleteI think most of you all should be sent home from this blog for poor performance of commenting! Zwayer was fine, ive seen much worse, gets a 2nd game for me
ReplyDeleteZwayer was (very) good under technical aspect. The 'off-the-ball step on ankle' penalty incident will be supported or even praised by Collina/Busacca although the impact on action was clear and in UEFA it should've been given. Rightly rejected handball penalty appeal. Only-VAR intervention for allowing the goal was okay although I would prefer an OFR because the offside attacker's action should be assessed by the referee, imo (but for FIFA and their philosophy of game flow it's going to be perfect).
ReplyDeleteThe only "bigger" mistake was a very poor reaction to a very cynical and rough charging offence by aus17 in 73'. Zwayer just whistled and did nothing more. And indeed, after that one players took things into own hands what resulted in a mass confrontation in 88'. The cramps/little injury was a bad image for FIFA and I guess they won't be happy about the way in which the game ended - no control?
Zwayer ends the game with what some of his defenders admit had "no control" and we're just supposed to pretend he was not just adequate, but very good? Come on.
ReplyDeleteI've skimmed the comments. I'm surprised a little, but not shocked.
Did Zwayer run over my dog with his car? No. But he wasn't good either. That was not good enough at a World Cup. It was the second match, right after Canada v Qatar, where it just wasn't good enough from the referee (maybe add Ghorbal, as well). Zwayer's an experienced referee, so he got through it, just barely, but that was poor. He honestly had an attitude of a referee who looked or felt above the assignment. This tie had been nasty in a friendly just a few months ago and Zwayer should have known that and approached the game better.
He doesn't get saved just because he has the UEFA tag. He didn't control the match. End of story. And half of you are going on about an off-the-ball coming together that wouldn't be a penalty in FIFA's eyes in a millions years. Talk about missing the forest for the trees. Plus, he gets injured in conditions that really were not testing him at all. Oh, and let's not forget the offside on the second goal is a flag that an AR at this level should not be putting up.
This trio should be going home on the merits. That performance does not justify a critical MD3 appointment or a KO match. The injury and optics around that should seal the deal.
Oh please, be quiet. I guess it's a scandal that he twisted his ankle, what does the match conditions have to do with anything? "Injury annd optics", we've seen far worse defended by FIFA, don't even need to go further than Elfath and his horrible performance that was still rewarded in 2022, or Ramos last year... So dramatic.
DeleteFuck off, guy.
DeleteI haven't rated Ramos once in my life. And I'm as critical about Elfath as anyone in the U.S.
But the defense of Zwayer is silly. The injury is the icing on the cake. You don't think those optics matter? I just don't get it. The other referees will see this. How do you reward a guy who can't control the game, can't physically finish the game, and isn't even the best referee from his country? What's the argument? This is the World Cup, not the local men's over-40 Sunday league.