The first referee to get a fourth assignment at 2026 WC is Jordanian Adham Makhadmeh. He has been called upon to handle a challenging task: USA - Belgium in the Round of 16. Good luck!
Match #94
Round of 16
7 July 2026, 02:00 CET
Lumen Field, Seattle
USA - 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
I feel sorry for Makhadmeh, he has deserved this appointment with solid performances (not amazing, not the best) but he faces a difficult match where it will test his full abilities and test him under the most amount of pressure he has ever faced. The difficulty of the match was already high, being the host nation of the tournament and a very big home (probably not as loud as Mexico but still loud). Now, with the context of the red card, there will be an extra layer to this match. With a sense of injustice from the Belgium side (rightly so) and a microscope placed on his decisions now (does he “appear” to be favouring one side or the other).
ReplyDeleteWe know that is all nonsense, there is no bias in refereeing at this level but often it is the optics and how things appear that fuel conspiracies rather than the truth or facts.
Good luck today, biggest match of your career, hope he does well!
+1
DeleteIt may be out of place.
ReplyDeleteBut I want to wholeheartedly say C’MON BELGIUM!!!
Put an end to this farce and leave all those corrupt despots with egg on their faces.
With that said. I’d too would like to wish Adham and his crew nothing but the best.
Do what is right, just, and sporting.
And please please please don’t simply “toe the line”
Thank you.
+1
DeleteSoft foul on 7’ but BEL forced his hand by landing on the ball.
ReplyDeleteQuiet start for Makhadmeh
Goal at 9’ for Belgium. USA started off almost asleep compared to previous matches.
ReplyDeleteCollina and Infantino seeing.
ReplyDelete11’ Some good player management there from Makhadmeh, wouldn’t have thought it was required so early or for that sort of foul but good to see him manage these early situations
ReplyDeleteStatement from the FIFA Referees Committee
ReplyDelete"FIFA recognizes Raphael Claus as one of the most outstanding professional referees in the world and a valuable member of the 'Team One' at the FIFA World Cup. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA Refereeing Director and Chairman of the Referees Committee, stated: 'Raphael Claus is refereeing in his second FIFA World Cup, having participated with us in Qatar 2022. He is an experienced and highly respected referee, and we maintain full confidence in him as a reliable official.'"
Why dropped ball when ball was sent out before game was stopped for injury
ReplyDeleteHe stopped the game before the ball had left the field (Belgium player did look to pass the ball out). Correct restart.
DeleteYes. Whistle before.
Delete17’ Game stopped for injury, appears to be a jarring incident as he fell awkwardly. Good management to stop players from getting extra instruction. Player looks to be off the field for 1m too and now to be substituted.
ReplyDeleteMovement: I’m not overly impressed by his movement. Positioning has been okay thus far but just noticing not big sprints to really move into good positions. Seems to be moving okay but just unsure whether he has that ability to put in the big sprints
Maybe weather playing a role although 29 degrees and 34% humidity doesn’t seem the worst of conditions. The Jordanian referee will be used to the heat.
DeleteTranslation:
ReplyDeleteThe referee’s body language reflects a high level of nervousness, with several unnecessary gestures, particularly during the two Belgian injury stoppages. You can clearly sense the immense pressure weighing on the Jordanian referee…
I don’t sense the high level of nervousness you mention, the gestures were more so to the benches to stop giving players instruction during the injuries.
DeleteI think it's been positive so far for the Jordanian referee. Clearly not feeling pressured to give the US decisions as he has rejected a number of foul claims. I really wish him the best as he has been very good in this tournament
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteVery good start from the ref. Good !
DeleteI'm not convinced that was a foul
ReplyDeleteAnd they scored directly from that freekick...
DeleteSoft foul lead to goal
ReplyDeleteThe USA scored from a free kick that shouldn't have been awarded.
ReplyDeleteA very soft free kick to award for the 1-1 equaliser, but in my opinion there is slight contact on the back of the American player’s foot. Therefore, it is a decision that can be supported.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your assessment. Not enough to be considered a clear error but ideally shouldn't be awarded
DeleteYes. Agree.
DeleteOn a side not. I’m glad that they got the uniforms properly sorted out for today.
ReplyDeleteThe pre tournament friendly that they played was a disaster with both teams wearing light colors.
Foul leading to the USA goal should not have been given. The USA striker, was already falling to the ground prior to the BEL def put his arms on the back. A few softer earlier fouls seems to indicate an inconsistent line.
ReplyDeleteUSA score from a deflection from the resulting free kick. Minutes later Belgium take the lead again.
He fell because of contact on the foot… not because of arms.
DeleteI just think with what we have seen this tournament that small bits of contact have generally been let go to maintain a higher bar for fouls. When you start giving softer fouls but then letting others go, you start becoming inconsistent with your decision making.
DeleteNo foul on 1-2 from Belgium. Good non decision by referee.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteBelgium respond straight away which thankfully takes a but off the focus off any controversy over the US freekick
ReplyDelete35’ Good YC, reckless challenge
ReplyDeleteGood decision and YC indeed.
DeleteCorrect YC for reckless. Well assessed
ReplyDeleteMany it seemed would have not gone with YC this World Cup, Good to see.
DeleteTrump is gonna cancel the yc too? 😂
ReplyDeleteHaha
DeleteCorrect first YC
ReplyDeleteIf Makhadmeh comes through this match with a strong performance, I think he becomes a genuine candidate for the final
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if it’s me but he looks like Collina
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI really appreciate the way the referee establishes a certain level of authority, reinforcing and supporting his decisions through firm and clear non-verbal communication, particularly during the few instances of dissent.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAs we get towards the end of the first half, you have to say well done to Makhadmeh. Correct decisions, good management, bar for fouls seems to be medium (not the high bar we have seen through the tournament) but seems to be relatively consistent. Some good management, no big KMI’s missed and have to say it’s been solid first half.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Just some issues with two decisions of corners / goal kicks including one corrected by VAR. But agree with your comment. Well done at all.
DeleteI didn't see the first 20/25 minutes but rest of half I saw was more than solid performance from the Jordan referee Makhadmeh hopefully the second half continues the triumph in a heated and delicate match up
ReplyDeleteVery good no foul decision at 53’.
ReplyDeleteYes, fantastic call live. BEL def got infront of USA att. If anything would have been a foul against USA
DeleteExcellent no freekick USA!!
ReplyDelete+1 exactly so
DeleteWe saw pierluigi Collina on his phone to read law 5 comments on his referee. ^^
ReplyDeleteNeed a pic of his phone screen
Delete😬
DeleteHaha
DeleteColina watching the blog hhh
ReplyDeleteGame definitely has a different feel in the second half. Anyone else feel he has changed the foul detection this second half? Seems to be letting more go than first half.
ReplyDeleteCollina on his phone in the stands.
Agree. Bar is higher ^^ !
DeleteDisastrous from the USA goal keeper outside the penalty area, brain snap and defender unable to cover or clear. 1-3 Belgium, you wonder how this changes the complexion of the game.
ReplyDeleteSo Belgium happy to sit deep and play on the counter attack. Crowd seem to have really seemed to drop off as well. Not really what I was expecting from the USA after that AUSvUSA match in the group stage.
DeleteNice sprint for Makhadmeh on the Belgium counter and in good position. He didn’t signal for a foul or advantage on the counter attack but we haven’t seen many referees use it to be honest. Perhaps just happy to let it go in terms of “high foul bar” but inconsistent with what happened in the first half.
Good to see this second half unfolding well for Makhadmeh and nothing in terms of controversial moments that might put him in a difficult situation.
69’ Good YC for SPA (even reckless?)
ReplyDeleteAfter 3/4 really solid performance from Makhadmeh. Don't want to jinx him, but IMO referee of the tournament so far.
ReplyDeleteNow sprinklers turned on on the field???
ReplyDeleteThe pitch needs to hydrate too!
DeleteMissed corner
ReplyDelete75’ Poor positioning there, missed a corner too. Just didn’t have that ability to put in a high level sprint to get into the correct angle to see the contact with the defender
ReplyDelete77’ Gave a careless foul but perhaps was more reckless foul. Didn’t race in there to properly manage the situation which tells me that he is perhaps struggling physically
ReplyDelete78’ Very strong body language in dealing with a situation but perhaps could have been quicker into the situation to deescalate.
80’ A missed foul there for me (didn’t have a replay to confirm) but this is the problem with the shifting level of foul detection, it appears inconsistent.
ReplyDelete81’ A clear foul, arms by USA def so no complaints but can rightly understand the frustration by the USA player. Strong body language in dealing with it but a situation of his own making.
DeleteAmerican here - Makhedmeh has been my biggest surprise of the tournament. Very good each time he's hit the pitch.
ReplyDeleteVery solid in the England vs DR Congo game and now you would have to say this was even better just because of the pressure of everything that surrounded the match.
DeleteThe American players started putting pressure on the referee, and he showed no reaction. I fear the match could slip out of his control in the final ten minutes.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on how the game plays out, now the crowd seem to have come back into game it might certainly lead to difficulty. Right now everything in control.
DeleteAkram faulth finder, suppport good referees!
DeleteHe handled the individual battles with the USA defender really well. He didn’t match the player emotional energy instead, he
ReplyDeletede-escalated the situation and kept control calmly
+1
DeleteWhat is wrong with many coaches nowadays! They dont accept a normal freekick for the opponent without gestures??????
ReplyDeleteHe deserves a semi final
ReplyDeleteI’m convinced Makhadmeh is positioning himself to become the first Asian referee to officiate a FIFA World Cup final. At this stage, I think he has a far better chance than Qatar Abdulrahman Al Jassim or Uzbekistan Ilgiz Tantashev
ReplyDelete"your board's not ready; it's not my job" from the 4O or RAR when the USA wanted to get subs on haha
ReplyDeleteFor all the furore over Balogun he's not exactly been a standout player in this game.
Good performance from the ref.