FIFA Announces Referee Assignments for 2026 World Cup Group Stage Matches
FIFA released referee appointments for multiple 2026 World Cup group stage matches, including Chinese referee Ma Ning officiating Ecuador vs. Curaçao, English referee Michael Oliver returning from injury for Netherlands vs. Sweden, and assignments for matches 9–12 and 61–66. Crews from Morocco, USA, England, Argentina, Paraguay, Romania, and others were named. Venues include stadiums in Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, Monterrey, Toronto, and Seattle.
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Michael Oliver Officiates Fifth World Cup Match, Becomes Third-Most Experienced English Referee
English referee Michael Oliver is set to officiate the high-profile World Cup match between Norway and France on June 26. According to statistical records, this will be his fifth World Cup officiating assignment, making him the English referee with the third-most World Cup matches in history. Only two English referees, Arthur Ellis and Howard Webb, have officiated more World Cup games than Oliver, each having refereed six matches. The milestone highlights Oliver's standing among English referees in international football. The news was reported by Hupu Soccer, citing source X, and notes the match is expected to be a key encounter in the tournament.
虎扑 - 足球Michael Oliver to Referee Norway-France at 2026 World Cup; French Team Has Mixed History with Him
English referee Michael Oliver, 41, has been appointed by FIFA to officiate the crucial 2026 World Cup Group I match between Norway and France on June 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Oliver, who has over 400 Premier League matches and is officiating his fifth World Cup game, has refereed France four times previously, with a record of one win, two draws, and one defeat. The win came in a Nations League quarter-final second leg against Croatia (2-0, won on penalties). However, his most recent match involving France was a 5-4 Nations League semi-final loss to Spain, a painful memory. France faces a confident Norwegian side that has defeated Iraq and Senegal. The match will determine first place in the group.
Home Football - actualités2026 World Cup Appoints Referee Michael Oliver for Norway vs France Group Match
The 2026 World Cup organizing body has appointed English referee Michael Oliver to officiate the Group I final match between Norway and France on Friday evening. Both teams have already secured qualification to the Round of 16 and will compete for first place in the group. This will be Oliver's second match of the tournament after officiating Netherlands-Sweden (5-1); he missed a previous assignment due to injury. Oliver, considered one of the best referees globally, will be officiating a French team match for the fifth time in his career. He will be assisted by English linesmen Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, with Chinese duo Ning Ma and Fei Zhou serving as additional officials.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot Transfert2026 World Cup: Michael Oliver to referee France vs Norway group match
The French national football team will face Norway in a decisive World Cup group stage match on Friday, with English referee Michael Oliver officiating. Oliver, a Premier League and FIFA international referee since 2012, has previously officiated four matches involving France, resulting in two wins, one draw, and one loss for Les Bleus. He was also present at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and Euro 2024. This will be his fifth time overseeing a France match. Oliver will be assisted by English officials Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, along with Chinese officials Ning Ma and Fei Zhou. France needs a result to secure progression from Group I.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuFIFA Announces World Cup Referee Assignments for Group Stage Matches 61-66
FIFA has announced the referee appointments for matches 61 to 66 of the 2026 World Cup group stage. English referee Michael Oliver will officiate Norway vs France, while Anthony Taylor will referee Senegal vs Iraq. Polish star Szymon Marciniak will take charge of Egypt vs Iran. Notable assignments include Chinese referee Ma Ning serving as the fourth official for Norway vs France, and Zhou Fei as the substitute assistant referee. Other matches include Uruguay vs Spain (Ismail Elfath, USA), Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (François Letexier, France), and New Zealand vs Belgium (Adham Makhadmeh, Jordan). Venues span Boston, Toronto, Guadalajara, Houston, Vancouver, and Seattle.
虎扑 - 足球FIFA confirms Michael Oliver will referee Netherlands vs Sweden after injury withdrawal
FIFA has confirmed that English Premier League referee Michael Oliver will return to officiate at the 2026 World Cup after being forced to withdraw from his first scheduled match due to injury. Oliver was originally set to referee the Ecuador vs Ivory Coast group stage match but was replaced by French official Francois Letexier. FIFA stated Oliver would be available for selection again 'in the coming days,' and he has now been assigned to the Group F clash between the Netherlands and Sweden on Saturday at Houston Stadium in Houston, USA. He will be assisted by fellow Premier League officials Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. Oliver, an international referee since 2012 and part of UEFA's elite group since 2018, previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including the Croatia vs Brazil quarter-final. He is one of six English on-field officials at the tournament.
Mirror - FootballEcuadorian Journalist: Chinese Referee Ma Ning, Known as 'Card Master', to Debut as Head Referee in World Cup
FIFA has announced that 42-year-old Chinese referee Ma Ning will officiate the World Cup group stage match between Ecuador and Curaçao, marking his debut as a head referee in the tournament. Ecuadorian journalist Juan Rueda commented that Ma Ning is known as the 'Card Master' for issuing the most cards in the Chinese Super League. Ma Ning has extensive international experience in the AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. He was selected for the 2022 Qatar World Cup but only served as a fourth official. Throughout his career, he has issued 925 yellow cards and 27 red cards. He began refereeing in 2005 and will officiate alongside referees from China, Qatar, and New Zealand.
虎扑 - 足球World Cup Referee Assignments: Ma Ning to Officiate Ecuador vs. Curaçao, Oliver Returns from Injury
FIFA has announced the referee assignments for four group stage matches of the World Cup. Chinese referee Ma Ning will officiate the Group E match between Ecuador and Curaçao on June 20 at 20:00 EDT, assisted by Zhou Fei (China) and Saoud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar). In Group F, English referee Michael Oliver returns from injury to take charge of Netherlands vs. Sweden at Houston Stadium, with assistants Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. Other assignments include Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay) for Germany vs. Ivory Coast in Group E at Toronto Stadium, and István Kovács (Romania) for Tunisia vs. Japan in Group F at Monterrey Stadium. The article provides full officiating crews including fourth officials and reserve assistant referees for each match.
虎扑 - 足球FIFA Announces Referee Assignments for World Cup Matches 9-12
On June 11, FIFA announced the referee assignments for World Cup matches 9 through 12, though VAR referee details were not disclosed. Match 9 (Group E: Germany vs. Curaçao) will be officiated by a Moroccan crew led by Jalal Jayed at Houston Stadium. Match 10 (Group F: Netherlands vs. Japan) features an American referee team headed by Ismail Elfath at Dallas Stadium. Match 11 (Group E: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador) will be overseen by English referee Michael Oliver at Philadelphia Stadium. Match 12 (Group F: Sweden vs. Tunisia) will be handled by an Argentine crew led by Yael Falcón Pérez at Monterrey Stadium. The report includes full details of referees, assistant referees, fourth officials, and reserve assistant referees for each match.
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