Appointments of match officials at 2026 FIFA World Cup, Round of 16.
Match #89
Round of 16
4 July 2026, 23:00 CET
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
PARAGUAY - FRANCE
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev UZB
Assistant Referee 1: Andrey Tsapenko UZB
Assistant Referee 2: Timur Gaynullin UZB
Fourth Official: Abdulrahman Al Jassim QAT
Reserve AR: Taleb Al Marri QAT
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Lara CHI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Joe Dickerson USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Joe Dickerson USA
Match #90
Round of 16
4 July 2026, 19:00 CET
NRG Stadium, Houston
CANADA - MOROCCO
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Danny Makkelie NED
Reserve AR: Hessel Streegstra NED
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Match #91
Round of 16
5 July 2026, 22:00 CET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
BRAZIL - NORWAY
Referee: Ismail Elfath USA
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins USA
Fourth Official: Said Martinez HON
Reserve AR: Walter Lopez HON
Video Assistant Referee:
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Match #92
Round of 16
6 July 2026, 02:00 CET
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
MEXICO - ENGLAND
Referee: Alireza Faghani IRN/AUS
Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay AUS
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed MAR
Reserve AR: Zakaria Brinsi MAR
Video Assistant Referee:
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Match #93
Round of 16
6 July 2026, 21:00 CET
AT&T Stadium, Arlington
PORTUGAL - SPAIN
Referee:
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official:
Reserve AR:
Video Assistant Referee:
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Match #94
Round of 16
7 July 2026, 02:00 CET
Lumen Field, SeattleUSA - BELGIUM
Referee:
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official:
Reserve AR:
Video Assistant Referee:
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Definitely a big one for Tantashev, if we think that Collina and Busacca can have still in mind Germany - Paraguay.
ReplyDeleteHowever for me the French national team is stronger and they will win, but to be checked.
Good for Oliver as well, Morocco with an excellent WC, but once again one must underline that you have a host nation so also for this reason a big name from UEFA.
Still, hey keep the confederations criterion. At this point would be weird to remove it, but we know all is possible.
About the fourth officials, reading the names, indeed it seems that those who worked only as fourth officials could have been already sent home.
Oliver appointed to Canada v Morocco, I had thought he would be saved for a QF if he didn't get any chance at round 32 nevertheless a co-host nation far from home imo Taylor was better option because I don't think he won't be getting a KO game and Makkelie as 4O interesting sounds like a wrong path for him.
ReplyDeleteThe shock here is Makkelie. Something must have gone wrong, this appointment hints to no more games for him other than as 4th official.
ReplyDeleteChill bro. He was 4o in QF Euro 2021 and went on to referee the SF.
DeleteA needed correction above every nomination: Round of 16. Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteYes, sorry.
DeleteMy predictions:
ReplyDeleteBRA-NOR: Barton
MEX-ENG: Faghani
+1 Looking the list, there is no other options
DeleteYes, those are the most obvious options.
DeleteElfath would be an alternative for BRA-NOR, if he is supposed to work again.
And the question is, whether FIFA wants to appoint a CAF referee in R16. Then Mohamed might be another option.
For MEX-ENG, normally you would consider CONMEBOL, but Tello probably is needed for USA-BEL (who else?) and the Brazilians can't do it, because the winner could meet BRA in QF.
Faghani doesn't deserve another game ,too whistle happy
Delete@Philipp , it possible for it to be the other way round AFC ref for USA-BEL and Tello for ENG-MEX just wondering
DeleteIn general yes, but there is no AFC referee left for that, because Faghani (from Iran) most likely can't do an US game.
DeleteAfter this set, Letxier will be or Mexico-England,or at match of winner Spain/Austria or Portugal/Croatia.
ReplyDeleteBe more than happy if the Frenchman is appointed to MEXENG
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DeletePeople, don’t be so dramatic about fourth official appointments. There have already been referees who were appointed as fourth officials and then went on to referee a match afterward.
ReplyDeleteMakkelie was fourth official in QF Euro 2021 and went on to referee the SF. So yeah let's see.
DeleteWhats the expectation for Ismail Elfath and Tori Penso? Will we see either of them with a whistle again this world cup? It would be a shock to me if Ish doesnt get another match.
ReplyDeletePenso out only for 4O duties and for Elfath at least one more game to wrap up his tournament
DeleteIn context of Match Mexico England: my reasoning ok if they want non Uefa/Concacaf referee they should select Faghani, but this will be match of extremley high pressure, so just becouse of that,this is only match where in my view, confederation neutrality should be forgotten, and I select Letexier!
ReplyDeleteI expect Tello in that game
DeleteWell for me, he is more suitable for USA-BELGIUM, altough my first projection for that match was Tantashev!
DeleteBut if I can choose non Uefa referee, should be Faghani.
DeleteDelighted for Tantashev who I thought was fairly excellent in SCO-MOR and from all accounts got a fairly positive review in his second game. Will be looking forward to watching him again. Oliver with another good appointment this time with non European teams and a good test in what will be a fiesty environment I think.
ReplyDeleteEarly predictions for Ro16:
ReplyDeleteBRA vs NOR - Elfath
MEX vs ENG - Faghani
POR/CRO vs ESP/AUT - Marciniak
USA vs BEL - Tello
ARG/CPV vs AUS/EGY - Letexier
SUI/ALG vs COL/GHA - Barton
Not fully what I would want but just guessing what FIFA would go with. Would personally like Letexier on MEXvsENG with Pinheiro getting ARG/CPV vs AUS/EGY. Then Barton and Marciniak swapped.
I would not be surprised, if that is 100% correct.
DeleteThe only bigger doubt there is, whether Ramos shouldn't get another game. But hard to say, who out of your 6 would be left out for him. It should be Elfath, but I don't really believe that.
I think and hope Ramos will be 4th official from now on ;)
DeleteValenzuela (VEN), Vincic (SVN), Turpin/Letexier (FRA), and Fischer (CAN) are candidates for quarter-finals?
DeleteWhy did Arnautović stay on the pitch
ReplyDeleteobss.. Delete
DeletePredictions:
ReplyDeleteBRA vs NOR - Barton
MEX vs ENG - Tello
POR/CRO vs ESP - Marchiniak
USA vs BEL - Valenzuela
ARG/CPV vs AUS/EGY - Letexier
SUI/ALG vs COL/GHA - Ramos
In this moment who has more possibilities to officiate the final?
ReplyDeletePredictions:
ReplyDeleteBRA vs NOR -Ramos
MEX vs ENG -Faghani
POR/CRO vs ESP - Letexier
USA vs BEL -Tello
ARG/CPV vs AUS/EGY - Taylor
SUI/ALG vs COL/GHA - Alcho if Swit or Zwayer if Alg
An English will never get Argentina
DeleteRamos after Brazil x Scotland?... don't think so.
DeleteWhy an English can't get Argentina?
Deletefalklands war
DeleteFalklands war isn't that long time ago 1982 for the two big nations to hold grudges to that extent of not allowing referees
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DeleteR16 predictions
ReplyDeleteBRA-NOR: BARTON
MEX-ENG: FAGHANI
USA-BEL: TELLO
POR-ESP: MARCINIAK
ARG/CPV-AUS/EGY: LETEXIER
SWI/ALG-COL/GHA: ELFATH
Ilgiz Tantashev isn't equipped or suited to handle the CONMEBOL style.
ReplyDeleteFrance versus Paraguay is going to be a foul fest full of gamesmanship and "dark arts". I mean, how else can Paraguay slow down or stop the all mighty French side.
England v Mexico will be handled by a referee that the FIFA Ref Comm doesn't mind "burning off".
ReplyDeleteAl-Jassim, Abatti, Faghani, or maybe even a "support" referee.
Because England is NOT winning that match.
1) The homophobic chant will be loud and present throughout the entire match.
2) The 50/50 calls will go Mexico's way.
3) Tuchel is already fabricating excuses for the loss.
Bizarre comment.
Delete1) England may not win but I don't see how the chances of that are influenced by homophobic chants.
2) It's the job of the referee to ensure this doesn't happen
3) Irrelevant to the appointment of officials.
Al-Jassim is already appointed as 4th and Abatti can't be chosen, because the winner could meet Brazil in QF.
DeleteWell then that leaves one option or a "support" referee.
DeleteNo problem, disregard my 3 observations. You will see.
But worry not, I will not gloat and will accept a simple "you were right". Mexico v Brasil in Miami is the massive match that they're "banking" on.
No more Hector Said Martínez Sorto PLEASE
ReplyDeleteIn 5 years, this is the second time that Makkelie will serve as FO during a game.
ReplyDeleteGermany - Hungary (EURO 2021)
Benfica - Auckland (CWC 2025)
Absolutely meaningless but IMO it’s interesting :)
Third *
DeleteR16 predictions
ReplyDeleteBRA-NOR: Barton w Penso
MEX-ENG: Faghani w Sampaio
USA-BEL: Tello w Valenzuela
POR-ESP: Letexier w Mariani
ARG/CPV-AUS/EGY: Zwayer w Pinhiero
SWI/ALG-COL/GHA: Elfath w Martinez
After the completely incomprehensible VAR announcement in the opening match, I simply cannot imagine Wilton Sampaio ever being appointed as a Fourth Official. How is he supposed to support Alireza Faghani with such poor command of English? How is he supposed to manage furious coaches and substitutes on the touchline without undermining his own authority?
DeleteIn my view, some referees are outstanding decision-makers on the field, yet clearly lack the linguistic and communication skills required for the modern demands of international officiating. Such officials should either referee matches or not be appointed at all. The role of Fourth Official should not be treated as a fallback appointment.
What still puzzles me is what exactly FIFA monitors for years after the pre-selection process. They keep emphasizing leadership, management skills and communication, yet some candidates continue to fall well short of the standards one would expect at World Cup level.
To me, this falls into the same category as failing a fitness test or a Laws of the Game exam and should, in itself, be enough to rule out a World Cup appointment.
Predictions :
ReplyDeleteBRA - NOR Barton
MEX - ENG Faghani
POR - ESP Letexier
USA - BEL Tello
ARG/CPV - AUS / EGY Elfath / Ramos
SWI - COL / GHA Ramos / Elfath
I like this one. For me its hard to imagine Ramos or Elfath are out. The mexican actually looked quite sharp (leaving aside the famous call, however you may deem it) and Elfath before the tournament was THE final candidate. Marciniak as the last final referee is the logical name going straight to a quarter.
DeleteBit surprising for me remains the fact that Taylor and Zwayer are probably out. The issues with Taylor was probably about Argentina being in one of the few available games for UEFA referees and Oliver rightfully being prefered. If CPV somehow beat ARG I would predict Taylor/Zwayer for that L16 and Ramos straight to the QF.
SPAIN-PORTUGAL: Zwayer
ReplyDeleteWhoever is appointed as the Ref (and referee team) for Mex-Eng, it will be a huge game and opportunity for that Ref. Everyone would need to understand that managing the players and benches in such a match at Azteca will be enormously difficult, and because of that, would need to assess the Ref's performance while keeping the atmosphere and background in mind. If the Ref and his team finish that match having gotten the important decisions correctly while showing leadership and courage, they will surely be considered at or near the top of the list for getting the final appointment.
ReplyDeleteQuite the opposite I’d say. Beforehand I’d consider the refereeing team appointed for this clash as not in (serious) contention for the final. Seems to be a typical sacrificial appointment.
DeleteCould - afterwards - only become in focus for the final showpiece as 1) more anticipated candidates fall out ánd 2) MexEng performance wise will result as you outlined above.
Brazil x Norway: Elfath
ReplyDeleteEngland x Mexico: Faghani
You can't rule Taylor out for the KO games I will be more than surprised if he fails to make the cut and well deserved appointment is just around the corner because he earned on merit
ReplyDelete+1 (with Felix as well)
DeleteI was expecting Barton for the Brazil-Norway match..
ReplyDeleteAnd who was honored instead of Barton
DeleteBrazil v Norway: Elfath
DeleteEngland v Mexico: Faghani
İVAN BARTON ROBBED
ReplyDeleteAny confirmation
DeleteElfath (USA) got assigned
DeleteMatch #91
ReplyDeleteRound of 16
5 July 2026, 22:00 CET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
BRAZIL - NORWAY
Referee: Ismael Elfath USA
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins USA
Fourth Official: Said Martinez HON
Reserve AR: Walter Jopez HON
Video Assistant Referee:
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Match #92
Round of 16
6 July 2026, 02:00 CET
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
MEXICO - ENGLAND
Referee: Alireza Faghani AUS
Assistant Referee 1: Georga Lakrindis AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay AUS
Fourth Official: Jalal Javed MAR
Reserve AR: Zakaria Brinsi MAR
Video Assistant Referee:
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 :
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :
Congrats to appointed officials, very important test for Faghani. As Mikael said in one of his analyses, his officiating is almost perfect, if overulled VAR call is correct. So we see that it was right decision!
ReplyDeleteWhy does Elfath getting a round of 16 game after what happened at Spain vs Uruguay and Barton doesnt get anyting?
ReplyDeleteI also disagree with the appointment of Elfath, given how the Spain vs. Uruguay match ended.
DeleteI’m not questioning the referee's knowledge of the rules, but after that previous match, I’m not sure his handling of Brazil vs. Norway will be reliable.
Faghani was very expected as we can see in the predictions above.
ReplyDeleteElfath for BRA-NOR also makes sense - it's interesting how Barton and Ramos will be treated now.
Probably some referees will get a direct QF, because at least Letexier, Marciniak and Tello also are quite likely to get another appointment.
Well after all of this, Letexier should be at Spain against Portugal which will be extremley tight!
ReplyDeleteGood appointments with Faghani has someone wrote yesterday the referee for this one isn't in the picture for the final but as a sacrifice man because any of the two England/Mexico who goes through must be controversial and what a game! can't wait to watch And the American Elfath very good appointment for him to stand any chance for a final/semi at least 3rd place match if everything goes well because Brazilians can't accept defeat by all means
ReplyDeleteAs I expected, Faghani was appointed to the super important Mexico-England match. This confirms how much they trust him. Hope that his VARs will help, not hurt, the offitiating decisions.
ReplyDeleteAs for Elfath getting the Brazil-Norway match, I don't fully understand why! Home country advantage over others?
Maybe FIFA viewed Elfaths performance better than most people on here.
ReplyDeleteYes, this can be my only thought here which is odd. I would have thought that the bad optics of this game outweighed the bad optics of the Penso game,
DeleteOr perhaps they wanted a “Home” referee to represent USA during the later stages, maybe they wanted Penso but perhaps they had to revive Elfath after they considered him as the more appropriate referee to carry him towards the end?
At the end of the group stage I wrote this comment:
DeleteMy feeling regarding the appointments for the group stage is that the performance was irrelevant in the case of almost all the referees. The opinion/bias/ranking of Collina and Busacca before the start of the tournament remained unchanged by the performances. They went ahead with their original plan and changed nothing. They choosed from the begining [...] who will have decise games and who will not. You can't simply overlook so many things related to the performance [...] And I doubt this will change in the KO stage. So far I am a rather dissapointed with the management.
Well, my opinion from back then hasn't changed much.
CWY2190:
DeleteI respectfully disagree with you.
How can one state with such certainty that FIFA’s assessment of Elfath is positive when he allowed almost anything to go unchecked in terms of aggression during the Spain vs. Uruguay match? I’m sorry, but he could have been assigned to a less intense match in the Round of 16 or held back for a later stage
He's definitely still a candidate for the final.
DeleteI also think Barton might get a QF and they gave Elfath a R16 when they could. Remember he cant do the USA or Moracco.
DeleteOr Mexico and Canada.
DeleteGillet’s appointment as VAR with Oliver should mean that FIFA agrees on all interventions yesterday in POR-CRO.
ReplyDeleteReferee: Michael Oliver ENG
ReplyDeleteAssistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Danny Makkelie NED
Reserve AR: Hessel Streegstra NED
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
That's quite a good final line up 😉😘
Maybe,but there are some a little bit better :)
DeleteThe best line up so far in this WC…No doubts!
DeleteIs nobody actually considering that Marciniak (after two GS-games) might be kept for a semifinal, like Cakir in 2014/2018? It’s basically his last dance, so he’d possibly skip the R16 and QF and finish the tournament with three matches, like most of the other referees.
ReplyDeleteI mean, there is a chance we will see Argentina vs England/Mexico/Brazil in the semi-final - I can see Marciniak being nailed on for that one, and surely they are not going to burn him in something like Portugal vs Spain?
DeleteMarciniak with Argentina after the debut in this wc? Guess probably into the other semi.
DeleteWith one round more, I would find it quite strange, if a referee gets a straight SF. It would mean 2,5 weeks without a game, which can't be the best preparation.
DeleteMarciniak will get R16 and SF.
Delete@Philipp Actually when Marciniak handled the Qatar final he was without a match for 15 days as well. So don’t think that would be a problem for Collina/Busacca.
DeleteElfath's appointment reeks of "host country" favoritism.
ReplyDeleteBut if this assignment keeps him as far away as possible from the Final. So be it.
If he performances very well is then back in the mix for the final and what an opportunity to have as a referee, it will be scrutinized around politics/ corruption/Trump's USA Cup nevertheless that doesn't matter (for example Messi favour and the conspiracy theories around 2022 WC Qatar)
DeleteThere's also a chance he could perform very well and not get another match if the QF have USA, Mexico and Moracco.
DeleteSave that Elfath fairytale ending for bedtime stories. This is the "sonorous" sendoff that Collina is giving this overrated, clearly physically limited referee who has obviously underperformed and is only being buoyed by the fact that he's the local ref.
DeleteThe supposed genius Collina tried to go "big" with the other local ref (Penso) and was left with egg on his face after Germany v Ecuador.
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ReplyDeleteNo Time Change for Mexico's win over England on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThe Mexico vs. England World Cup match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will kick off at 6:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 5.
FIFA briefly considered moving the game earlier to midday to avoid potential thunderstorms, but officials from both teams pushed back and the match will retain its originally scheduled slot. For viewers in the UK, this means the match will start at 1:00 a.m. BST on Monday, July 6.