Second game betwen two European national teams for Michael Oliver, the English referee has still to get the full WC experience at this edition.
Match #61
Group I
26 June 2026, 21:00 CET
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
NORWAY - FRANCE
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Ma Ning CHN
Reserve AR: Zhou Fei CHN
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :Abdullah Alshehri KSA
9' Correct YC for SPA to Norway player
ReplyDeleteCorrect YC for SPA by Oliver.
ReplyDeleteCorrect first YC for SPA
ReplyDeleteGreat advantage for France goal
ReplyDeleteExcellent advantage given, leading to 0-2 for France.
ReplyDeleteGood advantage on the 2nd goal from France
ReplyDeleteEasy when you have time and Oliver always makes time
ReplyDeleteBrilliant advantage
ReplyDeleteExcellent advantage prior to second French goal
ReplyDelete+ 1 ! Brilliant advantage !
DeleteOT the opinion of José María Garcia-Aranda, a familiar face at FIFA:
ReplyDeleteThis FIFA World Cup is highlighting some of the major challenges facing modern refereeing.
In the management and leadership of refereeing, technical expertise, professional analysis and performance assessment must take precedence over image-building, self-promotion and appearances aimed at impressing others.
The VAR system is failing due to a lack of commitment, insufficient training and the absence of consistent and unified criteria. As a result, it is not fully accomplishing its primary purpose: assisting match officials in correcting clear and obvious errors made on the field of play.
The Laws of the Game must be respected, as they are the foundation of both the game itself and sporting justice. Refereeing administrators and leaders must act as guardians of that respect and ensure the consistent application of the Laws on the field of play. This responsibility must prevail over personal interests or individual interpretations in order to safeguard the credibility of both refereeing and football.
I think one can agree on everything he said.
DeleteI wish we had García-Aranda in charge of the referees and VAR. He is a great referee and deeply knowledgeable about refereeing. A serious and responsible man
Delete+ 1 and i remember Garcia Aranda as one of my favourite spanish referee as Lopez Nieto or Diaz Vega, referees strict and right. Another time unfortunately…
DeleteYes. However, its long on aspiration and short on specifics.
DeleteExcellent Garcia-Aranda!!!
DeleteGood no penalty at 42'
ReplyDeleteAnd ‘45
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just me, but the many trends people have seen at this world cup (higher than normal foul bar, very high card bar), I don't feel I'm seeing so much from Uefa officials, and the English officials seem to be refereeing to their normal styles. Both the last match and this is very much normal Oliver, which is to say excellent. Apart from perhaps following the higher tolerance of dissent and more technical offences (like DtR), many Uefa officials have seemed their normal selves, and I think that's a very good thing. Maybe it's just their bar and Fifa's are more naturally compatible, and they haven't needed to try and adjust so much
ReplyDeleteEasy match at all but almost perfect Oliver and co.
ReplyDeleteA Rolls Royce of a first half performance from Oliver, strolled through it with minimum fuss and ease. Expected level of foul detection, fitness and management. Excellent advantage for the French second goal and good overall manner and demeanour.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteGood first half from Michael Oliver. The only point I'd raise regarding him and other referees (maybe this was asked by FIFA) is his too central positioning. The ball already hit him, a player hit him as well because of bad positioning IMO. Maybe he is still suffering from the injury because this was not normal on him
ReplyDeleteFiFA way is straight up and down. MO does not look hindered in any way tonight
ReplyDeleteHe will go far in this WC, depending on England's performance
Needs a mixed continental clash to cement his place
FIFA’s current “way” is “straight up and down.” I agree with you, but I dont care for it. Getting close to touch at the right moments reveals a real feel for the match (IMO).
DeleteMexico vs Ecuador (not confirmed but likely to happen) would be a great RO32 match for Michael Oliver but a Friday game and then Tuesday might be too close?
ReplyDeleteEngland in next round for winner most likely so id say not.... i think Hernandez could be a good fit for that one
DeleteGood penalty call on field no hesitation
ReplyDeleteCorrect penalty for Norway
ReplyDeleteGood pk call
ReplyDeleteGood call again. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteI’m English and Mexico v Ecuador would not suit Oliver at all… that is a perfect fit for Felix Zwayer (Germany) or Hernandez Hernandez (Spain) needs strength and someone suitable for a Latin tie which could prove to be very very repetitive in fouls
ReplyDeleteI think Hernandez tournament is over (maybe he will get an appointment als 4th official).
DeleteA very good pefromance by Oliver tonight. For him, I suppose that one quarterfinal would be reserved. More than that, no. Not due to quality,but some better referees! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteAbout some prediction for Round of 32, my bet on Mexico Ecuardor would be Letexier,ideal due to high emoitonal match, second choice Vincic. Brazil Japan can be good for Oliver.
ReplyDeleteOliver had a very easy group stage. Now he can reach everything only the Three Lions can stop him.
ReplyDeleteFor me the best European not-French referee of the tournament
+1
DeleteAppears to be the only ref who hasn't refereed a country from outside their federation (both games with UEFA teams).
DeleteCongrats Oliver ! Well done !
ReplyDeleteJust one observation: Oliver doesn’t have to act as Mbappé’s errand boy when Mbappé dismissively orders him to hand over the captain’s armband after being substituted. It doesn’t project a very authoritative image of the referee.
ReplyDelete