After a minor injury, reported by FIFA, Michael Oliver can make his debut at 2026 World Cup!
Match #35
Group F
20 June 2026, 19:00 CET
NRG Stadium, Houston
NETHERLANDS - SWEDEN
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Jamen Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Abongile Tom RSA
Reserve AR : Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela RSA
Vidéo Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett ENG
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee 1 : Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee 2 :Rodolpho Toski BRA
Wrong offsidecall AR2, why????
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamable.com/4c14y5
DeleteLooked like wrong offside on min 8'.
ReplyDeleteAlso in the beginning, in the first offside Oliver whistles it before Mainwaring's flag.
I get the feeling Michael Oliver won't finish the 90 minutes of this game.. he doesn't look comfortable.. it doesn't look like he's fully recovered from his injury."
ReplyDeleteHis running style does look different slightly to usual
DeleteOliver with a very good start but the assistant on the far side called a poor offside call at the SWE CK on min 7'
ReplyDeleteClear more than5 seconds Michael! Come on now!!
ReplyDeleteHes just not enforcing the 5 seconds throw law
ReplyDeleteAR1 with two good "no flags" for the Netherlands second goal.
ReplyDeleteSo far, the players will be happy (most of them know him), but overall image is not good. No enforcing 5 seconds, 2 wrong on/offside decisions, but now a good onside by Burt for 2-0
ReplyDeleteTo be clear, that’s if this continues for the whole 90. If he corrects it all good
DeleteDon't be so self-critical, Mr. Oliver, and focus more on your game. Now you can chat with us since it's hydration break! ;-)
DeleteWe've had a goal kick where the countdown did happen, and one throw in where it could have, but it is completely at the referees discretion when to start it. It's not like everything is taking a long time. Oliver's been absolutely fine
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteCompletely agree, I was about to highlight that. If the referee feels one of both teams are taking too much time he can start the 5 seconds rule. It’s not required at each and every restart. So all fine for me as well, only minor point of criticism being a bit quick on the whistle where using the advantage was expected/required.
DeleteSeems unwilling to play the advantage, even in cases where it is clear
ReplyDeleteI don’t understand the criticism of Oliver so far. The 5 second throw in change does not mean they only have 5 seconds to take it. It starts at the referee’s discretion, and so far there have been no extended delays at throws or goal kicks (minus the one where he used he countdown). I think Oliver has been excellent as usual so far. Only issue is the wrong offside by Mainwaring.
ReplyDelete+1
Delete+1, agree. Absolutely. And that was one offside, hardly a theme so far...
DeleteHe is terrible with 5 seconds rule again!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not the most important thing but why?
ReplyDeleteI swear some people just choose something they want to moan about and relentlessly whinge and moan the whole game. There's been no demonstrable difference between the throw ins in this game and any other in the tournament
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It gets worse every game. Moaning about things that are such non-issues
Delete+1
DeleteVery good offside call by AR2 to redeem himself
ReplyDeleteExcellent offside flag from AR2 to disallow the Sweden goal
ReplyDeleteOutstanding offside by ar 2
ReplyDeleteDelayed whistle, probably helped with audio alert from SAOT
ReplyDeleteThat’s a problem for us now because we don’t know what is the on field on offside call, here I will think it was onside call by AR but got the audio alert and then raised his flag imo, I might be wrong
DeleteI don’t understand, what’s even the point of having ARs if FIFA is going to be using SAOT in the moment? Why not keep the authority with the ARs and allow the VAR to correct a mistake, if it happens. Sad use of technology imo because these ARs at the World Cup are the best in the world
DeleteClip: https://streamable.com/xlb5rw
DeleteAgree with that
DeleteA very good first half from Oliver in a largely football focused game with both teams looking to play. He has had full control and acceptance from the players and is moving well following his minor injury and looks as if he could last 120 minutes. Managed the time and restarts well and some of the comments in all honesty have been very over the top. Both AR's have provided good offside decisions in key areas for goal/no goal situations. AR2 with a low impact incorrect offside flag (ball was going out for a goal kick anyways) but apart from that both have contributed well. Keep up the good work Mr Oliver.
ReplyDelete+1
Delete+1, hear hear
DeleteOliver struggling a small bit with positioning
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't look very fit."
DeleteI also think the criticism has been over the top and frankly unnecessary. As some have already commented, the spirit behind the 5 seconds rule is not for it to be enforced as a strict rule but it gives the Referee the discretion to step in where s/he senses that a team is employing dilatory tactics. Yes, the offside call was a wrong one but ultimately the move came to nothing so not relevant in the grand scheme of things.
ReplyDeleteI think not only the spirit behind the rule, but also the facts of the protocol mean some of the criticism is simply wrong imo. Nowhere does it say it is a 5 second count as soon as they are ready to throw. Some people maybe don’t understand the change properly
DeleteThat's what I call a flawless first half display job well done by Oliver hope he does the same in the second half except the wrong offside call at the start of game by AR2.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing Ivan Barton's unbelievable performance this morning, European referees seem so different and very calm to me..
ReplyDeleteI guess I like tough referees like Collina and Barton
https://imgur.com/a/1jQh0qa
ReplyDeleteMainwaring flagged the first potential offside, moving quickly from the short corner with the Swe attacker partly in his way, he used De Jong (clearly wrongly!) as the second-last defender, waiting to see if he would get the 3D SAOT buzz, then after the buzz didn't come, flagged that potential offside offence (wrongly). You can see Oliver point out towards the corner flagged after he gives the offside. No linesman at a WC since 2006 would make a mistake so blatant as the frame-freeze replay suggested!
Good first half for Oliver, I'm confused by the criticism here.
*1. Thank you for speaking the truth Mikael. Very good comments on Oliver’s good first half
DeleteAs usual, Oliver delivered a calm and composed performance. He showed strong confidence, maintained good rapport with the players, and came across as comfortable and secure in his role.
ReplyDeleteHis main challenge was positioning. His movement patterns were somewhat limited, and he did not always find the most effective angles, although he generally managed to stay reasonably close to play when key situations developed.
He was not particularly strict in managing delays at set pieces, but neither was he overly lenient. At this stage, it is not a significant concern.
Another good no flag from AR2 to allow Netherlands 3rd goal.
ReplyDeleteCorrect YC for SWE #5 for SPA on 53'
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamable.com/enqxp8
DeleteVery good first hour for Oliver. He is lucky with two teams who want to play football and the goal scoring of the Netherlands help a lot.
ReplyDeleteHis line is very clear. All fouls being fully accepted. Players know what to expect.
In respect to his positioning. He is where he needs to be. Has good overview over the situations and no (crucial) mistakes. Hopefully he and his team keep it this way.
Correct YC for SWE #18 for pulling jersey/SPA on 75'
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamable.com/8ubuhk
DeleteCorrect YC for SWE #7 for reckless challenge on 81'
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamable.com/br9ldm
DeleteCorrect YC for reckless
ReplyDeleteEasy game but good performance from Oliver
ReplyDeletehttps://www.instagram.com/p/DWbKkYIDAfC/?igsh=MW9kcmp0eWo2MXNwOQ==
ReplyDeleteAn expected level performance from Oliver in a majority football focused game. Excellent rapport with players and always had the game under control with no signs of the game getting away from him. 3 YC's all correct (mandatory and couldn't be avoided). Both AR's contributed well with key decisions being correct. Fitness and positioning were good throughout and despite a small calf injury appears to be almost back to his full self. Second game will certainly follow whether that is a R32 match directly or a game on MD3. Well done Oliver and team.
ReplyDeleteVery good performance by Michael Oliver in football focused game. Minor things should be improved for next game,like, a little more patiecny whistle in some situations,and thats all. Correct disciplinary deicisions also as technical. Good communication. Expect to see him in MD 3.
ReplyDeleteExpected level by Oliver but generally a very good job for him !
ReplyDeleteIt was all good from Oliver and company match handled very well indeed throughout and to be honest with all the games I have seen live, this is my best ref performance of the tournament. Many can say easy going match but at this stage any ref can lose it very quickly perfect example Marciniak in a nothing game totally failed
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