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: Tatiana Guzman NCA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Leodan Gonzalez URU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
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: Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Juan Lara CHI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Juan Soto VEN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Juan Soto VEN
Match #93
Round of 16
6 July 2026, 21:00 CET
AT&T Stadium, Arlington
PORTUGAL - SPAIN
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Felix Zwayer GER
Reserve AR: Robert Kempter GER
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Antonio Garcia URU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Marco Di Bello ITA
Match #94
Round of 16
7 July 2026, 02:00 CET
Lumen Field, SeattleUSA - BELGIUM
Referee: Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh JOR
Assistant Referee 1: Mohanmmad Alkalaf JOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Alroalle JOR
Fourth Official: Pierre Atcho GAB
Reserve AR: Boris Ditsoga GAB
Video Assistant Referee: Khamis Al Marri QAT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Hernan Mastrangelo ARG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Hernan Mastrangelo ARG
Match #95
Round of 16
7 July 2026, 18:00 CET
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaARGENTINA - EGYPT
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Espen Eskas NOR
Reserve AR: Isaak Bashevkin NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Jerome Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Willy Delajod FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Bram Van Driessche BEL
Match #96
Round of 16
7 July 2026, 22:00 CET
BC Place, VancouverSWITZERLAND - COLOMBIA
Referee: Ivan Barton SLV
Assistant Referee 1: David Moran SLV
Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Pupiro NCA
Fourth Official: Katia Garcia MEX
Reserve AR: Sandra Ramirez MEX
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Pacheco MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Armando Villarreal USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Ivan Bebek CRO
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
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
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.
ReplyDeleteSo, did you enjoy Tantashev? ; )
DeleteHe was great.
DeleteFor Paraguay.
Early 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
DeleteIn this moment who has more possibilities to officiate the final?
ReplyDeleteIlgiz 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.
And I am vindicated!
DeleteMaybe I've been involved in refereeing long enough to know a thing or two.
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.
While I agree with the majority that Elfath's performance have dipped I don't think they were so bad as to not get another game (especially being the home referee) , I am however surprised he's given arguably one of the most high profile matches of the RO16 . I hope he performs well because that game could be feisty .
DeleteAgree with your assessment . I'm not a fan of Zwayer but he has been okay this WC- just for me not as good as the others. Taylor is in a bit of a fluffy as there are 2 England referees but could see him get a QF - England's exit could help both referee
DeleteWhoever 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
DeleteCongrats 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.
Delete@Lincoln How can we state that FIFA’s Assesment of Elfath is positive?
DeleteSimple: During this tournament referees who have had poor performances have either been performance managed or benched. Instead of being benched or kept only fourth official duties he was assigned a R16 game.
So to say that it doesn’t matter, they had preplanned appointments from the group stages to the knockouts is a step too far.
Gillet’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.
No 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.
What a U-turn
DeleteRumours starting to come through of refs being sent home: Hernandez and Eskas are reported to be gone
ReplyDeleteWe need a full list of those who didn't make the cut, I guess 2 CAF officials left
DeleteZwayer, Taylor, and Martinez were seen in the stands at the Argentina vs. Cape Verde match yesterday.
DeleteReally around which minutes of the match @HB2300
Deleteİ got this information from a friend. They give vip area tickets to all referees for the matches in Miami..
Deletehttps://x.com/i/status/2073265091563184345 :)
DeleteAll of that information is incorrect. During the last few World Cups under the leadership of Busacca and Collina, referees have never been sent home mid-stage. Every referee remains at the tournament, with the first departures occurring only just before the quarter-finals. Therefore, all referees are certainly still there.
Deletelgiz Tantashev will be on the plane home
DeleteSo before the round of 16 games begin here’s what I think, for what it’s worth. I forecast that whichever nations qualify for the final 8, then the referees from those countries will unfortunately see their tournament end. Bad news maybe for the English and French lads, as all 4 were good shouts for the final. Could also be au revoir for Elfath- I think Penso was done anyway. In fact a lot of decent referees could be surplus. I predict that if we get the right combination of confederation mashups in the final (2 EUFA or zero EUFA) then Makkalie will get the gig. Only my opinion.
ReplyDeletePlus remember than Elfath gets the double hit since he's Moroccan born. I think that's why he got the R16 because he could perform great and not really have another chance. And he's never getting Mexico either if they get past England.
DeleteShould have stated that if USA are eliminated then Elfath will be delighted and could start prepping for the final. If USA get through then Faghani must be considered if the confederation mashups don’t suit an EUFA guy.
ReplyDeleteAwarding Elfath with another match after the scandalous Uruguay-Spain performance shows me that this WC is not based on logic. Actually I have no idea what it's really based on. All I know is that it has nothing to do with what we work with in our home associations where firstly we manage the game by IFAB rules and secondly we give good games to good referees. I have lost all belief in the sincerity of this decision making process.
ReplyDelete2/3rd of the matches are scandalous according to this blog.
DeletePlenty of this blog seems to agree that every offence should be punished accordingly and that referees shouldn't be so lenient or afraid to show yellow cards.
DeleteIt's almost as if Collina told them that only leg-breakers or attempted murder deserve a booking. When you have a system that protects dangerous tackles but punishes something as minor as covering your mouth while speaking, what are we even talking about?
AlonShmidhuber: Completely agree.
DeleteRound 16 match officials:
ReplyDeletePortugal-Spain:Taylor
USA-Belgium:Adham
I think, nobody predicted that...
DeleteVery surprising appointments
DeleteSome choices are definitely not clear.
ReplyDeleteOne could have hardly expected Taylor, with other UEFA referees who could have been in charge of this clash, given the evident mistake in assessing the red card for DOGSO in his previous game. OK, all the rest was good, but this was something relevant in my opinion.
In the other game, I think now we can confirm that he is a surprise from this WC, Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh. And it's a very good one, open to any outcome, with home side involved. Collina surely very pleased with him.
Thoroughly deserved for Makhadmeh. He especially impressed in the England vs. DR Congo match, where he caught almost everyone by surprise with a truly outstanding refereeing performance.
DeleteLooks like Letexier and Barton are being saved for quarterfinals
ReplyDeleteBarton I think may get any of the remaining 2... Letexier looks saved
DeleteWow, congrarts to all appointed officials. Now is question, does he save Letexier for quarter final, or will give him Argetina Egypt, which can be tough,after last night match wtih Cape Verde!
ReplyDeleteSo glad for Makhadmeh to get 4th appointment. He absolutely deserved it.
ReplyDeleteCollina has a sweet spot for the referees who have the same hairstyle as him.
ReplyDelete😂😂😂😂
DeleteAnthony Taylor is a surprising appointment, to say the least.
ReplyDeleteWe all know the history involving Cucurella and the handball incident, and there's also Taylor's controversial match involving Mourinho. Because of that, I'm sure plenty of Portuguese fans will have their own theories in the coming days about the referee selected to handle this match.
So perhaps they should have chosen the referee more wisely. Given the history and the narratives that already exist, this appointment was always likely to generate unnecessary controversy, regardless of how well the match is officiated.
They can risk him.. I dont think he is considered in the finals…
DeleteIt’s a case of Rosetti and Collina seemingly competing to see who has the better opinion of Taylor.
DeleteWhile one has practically shut the door on the Englishman officiating a Champions League final due to the issues involving Mourinho and Cucurella, the other seems to disregard all of that, showing confidence in him.
So obviously AFC is the winner of this tournament in terms of refereeing.
ReplyDeleteZero below expected performance including Ma Ning, 4 appointments for them in knockout phase is well deserved.
Congratulations!!
That Tantashev performance really hurt us
DeleteI wouldn't write him off so soon. It was a very tough game and his first World Cup. He had a good two games and then messed up what was a challenging game, hope he comes back strong
DeleteOne more thing to add, Tello and Marciniak is surely saved for QFs.
ReplyDeleteHowever there is a clear reason to justify this; they cannot officiate the final regardless of their performance (because of the former finalist, Pitana 2018, Marciniak 2022). Collina decided to compensate them with direct QF appointments maybe.
The remaining two games will be managed by Letexier and Ramos/Barton.
We will see Sampaio and Tello both in QF as well as Marciniak and Vincic.
Clearly Valenzuela is the favorite for the non-COMMEBOL semifinal tie.
I like Tello but is there a chance his path is over unfortunately. He can't officiate the last 2 RO16 matches - if Brazil | Argentina / Colombia goes through his options get very limited
DeleteTaylor spain Portugal
ReplyDeleteMakhadmeh belgium vs
Well now is probably after all what I saw from previous comments is that potential quarterfinal game can go to Letexer, if he does not recive Argetina Egypt. Remaining names in round of 16 can be Tello and Barton, and then quarterfinals for Letexier,Vincic,Makkelie and Sampaio.
ReplyDeleteI would add Maricniak at Round of 16,then semifinal.
DeleteIt is still very open for me.. Turpin is there, can we rule out mariani and pinheiro or maybe even oliver getting another.. valenzuela can still be there as well.. very difficult to predict to be honest
DeleteFirst time writing after years of observing - always impressed by the content within.
DeleteFor the USA-BEL match, is there precedent for appointing an official that a) previously was in charge of one side in the tournament; b) whose parent is from a country beaten in the previous round by an involved nation (in this case the Jordanian official’s mom is from Bosnia). No conflict of interest?
Well, based on Merit it would be very unfair to dont see Letexier again, and he was better then Turpin,while Turpin was also top!
DeleteVery disappointed in the USA-Belgium appointment. As I have said before, teams that don't mob and complain but move on after calls always get second choice.
DeleteI dont think Taylor is a good choice for this game
ReplyDeleteDon't take this as just venting.
ReplyDeleteBut I still believe that Peljto, for instance, deserves to be at this World Cup far more than Taylor does.
Unfortunately, I see a problem: UEFA quietly sidelined the Bosnian, and his exclusion from officiating the finals of European competitions was a decisive factor in him missing out on the World Cup.
As for Taylor, I simply lament the decision to appoint him to officiate a Spain match again, given everything that happened at Euro 2024.
Agree.
DeleteLincoln your dislike of English officials ,always comes through ,Taylor has handled numerous difficult matches over a number of years and therefore deserves this appoinment .All referees have bad games ,it is human nature ,but referees are judged on there consistency over a season or a number of seasons
DeleteSorry what? Taylor in a very recent post here was being waxed lyrical about. While I don't think Taylor is ' final - worthy ' he is definitely of the better referees at the tournament , has done well and is also well worth his place as a referee at this stage.
DeleteFor me not surprised to see Taylor in such a big match as I repeatedly mentioned in the past week that Taylor was among the very best UEFA and KO game was soon around the corner well deserved and on merit, being sidelined by UEFA is just biased politics in Europe right now. Congratulations to him for proving UEFA and many wrong in that regard. He was better than Marciniak Vincic Sampaio in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteTo the Jordan referee congratulations to him as well to getting the host nation as farewell match at least as the main (center) ref, very good World Cup for him and his crew
Totally agree. IMO Rosetti's biggest mistake was the fact that he didn't appoint Taylor to the 2024 UCL final and opted for Vincic. It's bad management since Vincic could have gotten the last UCL final.
DeleteWhy farewell? One must wait before saying that. However, about Taylor, you could be right . It's possible this is another chapter of the duel UEFA - FIFA, that would explain why he got this game despite of a crucial mistake on previous one, a very evident one. And maybe for sinilar arguments one could even expect Zwayer to follow? But in this case more difficoltà.
Delete* Difficult, similar
DeleteWhere is my man Ivan Barton???
ReplyDeleteJustice for Barton..
I think taylor will do well.. he has been really solid this year overall… i hope he confirms
ReplyDeleteThe 4th official appointments at this World Cup surprise me a bit.
ReplyDeletePinheiro was 4O for Morocco vs. Haiti on 25 June. Travelled back on 26 June. Then straight back on a plane to Los Angeles on 27 June, for South Africa vs. Canada.
Today Makkelie. He refereed on 30 June. Flew back on 1 July. And already back as 4O on 4 July. Why not use Zwayer instead? He had been waiting much longer. And where is Kovacs?
maybe pinheiro went straight to LA rather than back to Miami
DeletePinheiro was also with the crew watching Argentina x Cape Verde
DeleteI am sure Makadmeh's appointment would have taken a lot of us by surprise
ReplyDeleteWell, for me it's suggesting that with French & English teams still in the tournament FIFA wanted to reward these officials with a KO match. I still expect to see Letexier & Ramos now with the remaining 2 games. I think that decent performance from Makhadmeh may have cost Tello a KO game.
ReplyDeleteI don't see 3 UEFA officials in the quarters so, Barton & Marciniak or Vincic would be a good shout for 2 of them.
As muslim and arab we are very for this appointment of adham
ReplyDeleteThank you for this important insight.
DeleteIn my opinion, Marciniak won't get a quarter-final and is instead being held back for a semi-final. We've seen FIFA follow this approach before. In 2018, Cunha and Cakir both officiated two group-stage matches before being appointed to a semi-final. The same happened with Orsato in 2022 - two group-stage matches followed by a semi-final. Based on those precedents, I think FIFA could be taking the same path with Marciniak
ReplyDeleteWell, I feel MARIANI will get ARG-EGY after the today’s appointment.. because once we appoint Vincic to the game in Kansas, we are running out of candidates for that game. For that reason, FIFA could send LETEXIER to the game in the Kansas instead. MARCINIAK will get the game in Miami, two COMMEBOL refs will get the games in Boston and LA.
ReplyDeleteTurpin is a good candidate for 3rd place match without France. The main contenders for final are Faghani and Elfath (mainly politics…).
I called it!
ReplyDeleteAnd I was completely and totally right about Tantashev.
How is that I can see it. But Collina and Busaca can't?
Many people underestimate how well Makkelie and Barton performed in their match involving Paraguay.
Delete@Unknown Exactly. And they will get the final (Makkelie CR, Barton 4O).
DeleteBarton > Makkelie
DeleteIn terms as to how they handled Paraguay.
They both did very well (Arbiter - different games and circumstances).
DeleteI remember that Makkelie issued an early YC to Paraguay at the very first occassion, and obviously protected the USMNT players after a 3-0 lead from frustration fouls, something that Elfath failed in Uruguay Spain.
Barton’s game was a very challenging one, in a different way, different scorelines.
Predictions
ReplyDeleteArgentina-Egypt Mariani
Switzerland-Colombia Ramos
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DeleteArgentina vs Egypt ,should be Barton .It needs his no nonsense approach ,he might not get it because he would not give any special treatment to Messi
ReplyDeleteThat’s why FIFA wouldn’t assign him in this game
Deleteİ expect Ivan Barton to be assigned to France vs. Morocco
ReplyDeleteTello it would be
DeletePreditions:
ReplyDeleteARG-EGY Letexier
COL-SWI Ramos
Quarterfinal:
MAR-FRA Tello
SPA/POR-USA/BEL Sampaio or Uefa
BRA/NOR-ENG/MEX Sampaio or Uefa or Afc
ARG/EGY-COL/SWI Barton
Semifinal:
Marchiniak
TBD
Final:
TBD
Off topic but it's been reported that Baloguns red card suspension for the US has been suspended. If this is confirmed it's just a new low for FIFA in this tournament
ReplyDeletewhat 😂
DeleteHe's apparently no longer suspended to face Belgium. They changed the goalposts for Ronaldo before the tournament and now for the host nation
DeleteOfficial: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/usa-folarin-balogun-available-belgium
DeleteIt’s simply appalling how FIFA is behaving. I’m seriously considering whether I’ll watch any more matches—it’s all about the big players and what brings in money. Money-hungry.
DeleteIt's confirmed
DeleteChanging rules in a middle of a tournament, is this a prank ??
DeleteAnd FIFA is silent over last nights disaster ,no surprise with Infantino in charge ,everything is always perfect.
ReplyDeleteLetexier and Barton for remaining R16 matches
ReplyDeleteWith Eskås and Garcia as 4th
DeleteSource: ArbitroInternacional
Deleteofficial ??
DeleteYes, it is published on FIFA’s Twitter account
DeleteSorry but that's a scandal from FIFA.
ReplyDeleteWe should stop to follow this tournament right now.
The red card has not rescinded, but they have just delayed the suspension in a period of a year. They couldn't find another argument to allow the player to be available for that game.
We should absolutely close all our doors to FIFA.
I really don't understand how some people can accept that.
It's absolutely scandalous decision that perfectly describes FIFA. No need to say more. Bizarre.
DeleteSome national FAs really need to speak out. They're simply destroying Football.
DeleteWhat a scandal.
So the Cristiano situation again. It's bizarre that we're not seeing stronger reactions.
DeleteWith the appointment of Ivan Barton, it becomes clear that meritocracy does not exist in FIFA, only politics.
ReplyDeleteLOL… Ivan Barton deserved this appointment
DeleteFacundo Tello and Marciniak going straight to QF. Vincic is likely getting a semi final
ReplyDeleteNo The end World Cup for Szymon
DeleteI do not understand
DeleteYeah, USA star striker Balogun is no longer on any suspension and he will take part in the R16 USA BEL, it is stated that it was never a RC and a wrong VAR intervention under new FIFA protocols FOX SPORTS just confirmed the Breaking news
ReplyDeleteBottom line anything goes under Infantino and also it wasn't the US soccer federation request but FIFA itself bending the LotG for record sale out I guess
Everywhere the question was how can USA cope with BEG without their superstar, And what a story it will be if he scores a goal
Ivan Barton has been assigned to one of the most challenging match of the tournament again…
ReplyDeleteSwitzland vs Colombia is going to be 🔥
First of all,congrats to all appointed referees. Clever and smart decision from Fifa to appoint Letexier to very hard and tight match Argetina against Egypt. Congrats also to Barton. Now its clear that as Mikael W said they saved Vincic for quarterfinal possibly Argetina Colombia in Kansas! Very big and important test to Letexier!
ReplyDeleteLetexier getting Argentina it was rather invented and the chance follows to Egypt it will be an interesting game to observe can't wait for the French faithful to take over blog that said it is very good appointment to solve ARG dark arts
ReplyDeleteBarton well deserved appointment for the game involving Columbia we will see
DeleteSo Marciniak, Ramos and Tello straight to the QFs?
ReplyDeleteOr any chance that they have been rejected after their GS performances?
If all three work in the QFs, Ramos and Tello need to be planned for the first two games (due to their national teams), and the exact collocation depends on the USA result.
Marciniak could then do BRA-MEX/ENG (or again ARG...) and the last one depends on the pairing.
I would also mention, that Abatti hasn't been used as 4th official so far, so he might be still an option.
Ramos repeating FRA-MAR from 2022 shouldn't be a problem, I think. So actually, he could do this game and Tello the QF2 independently from the next results.
DeleteThe end on the World Cup fot the Szymon Marciniak
ReplyDeleteThe source
DeleteDONALD J. TRUMP: Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President…
ReplyDeleteDonald Trump thanked the FIFA president for lifting Balogun’s suspension. Football is starting to get disgusting
ReplyDeleteAfter this WC, I think its time for FIFA to think about new names in leadership. First two names that I imagine are top FIFA instructors CAKIR AND MAZIC!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely pathetic decision. When you think decisions regarding refereeing and management couldn’t get any worse. Disgusting. And then the US beats Belgium, we’re supposed to accept this unprecedented decision? How you can argue against the onfield decision is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteInfantino needs to go. Collina and Busacca need to go. This whole institution is compromised.
Delete