Spanish Referees Debut at 2026 World Cup in USA Matches
Spanish referees Carlos del Cerro Grande and Alejandro Hernández Hernández debuted at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Del Cerro served as VAR for USA vs. Paraguay and later as substitute VAR for Belgium vs. Egypt. Hernández Hernández officiated Brazil vs. Haiti. The tournament features extensive VAR protocols, with Del Cerro based in the Dallas VAR center. Both referees represent Spanish officiating at the global event.
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FIFA Appoints Referees for First Four Round of 32 World Cup Matches
FIFA has announced the referees for the first four round of 32 matches of the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The appointed referees include two Europeans (Italian Maurizio Mariani and Portuguese Joao Pinheiro), one Brazilian (Wilton Sampaio), and one Moroccan (Jalal Jayed). Mariani will officiate the match between Brazil and Japan, with Swiss Sandro Schaerer as fourth official. Pinheiro will referee the South Africa vs. Canada match, with Spanish VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande. Sampaio is assigned to the Morocco vs. Netherlands clash. Jayed will officiate Germany vs. Paraguay. The article notes FIFA and refereeing chief Pier Luigi Collina's apparent preference for European referees, and mentions uncertainty about Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández's potential appointment to further knockout matches.
FútbolCarlos del Cerro Grande to Support Alejandro Hernández Hernández in Brazil-Haiti World Cup Debut
Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández will make his World Cup debut officiating the Brazil vs Haiti match in the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA has assigned veteran referee Carlos del Cerro Grande to support him as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in Dallas. The two have worked together extensively in UEFA competitions, including the Champions League. This will be Hernández Hernández's second match of the tournament, having previously served as fourth official in Haiti's debut against Scotland. For del Cerro Grande, it will be his fourth match of the World Cup, with two as VAR and two as VAR substitute. The match features Brazil, one of the tournament favorites, led by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
FútbolSpanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández to officiate Brazil vs. Haiti World Cup match
Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández has been appointed to officiate the FIFA World Cup Group C match between Brazil and Haiti. The Canary Islands native will lead a largely Spanish officiating team, with José Enrique Naranjo serving as first assistant and Diego Sánchez as second assistant. The crew is completed by Swiss officials Sandro Schaerer as fourth official and Stephane De Almeida as fifth. Hernández previously served as fourth official for the Haiti vs. Scotland match, which ended in a 1-0 Scottish victory. The Brazil-Haiti match is scheduled for Saturday, with a kickoff time of 2:30 AM Spanish time. This assignment marks a significant role for the Spanish referee in the ongoing 2026 World Cup tournament.
Fútbol en AS.comAlejandro Hernández Hernández to Referee Brazil vs Haiti at 2026 World Cup
Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández will make his official debut as main referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during the Brazil vs Haiti match in Group C. The game takes place in the early hours from Friday to Saturday, with Brazil entering after a 1-1 draw with Morocco and Haiti after a narrow loss to Scotland. Hernández Hernández, already familiar with several Brazil players like Vinicius and Raphinha from La Liga, and coach Carlo Ancelotti, will be assisted by fellow Spaniards José Enrique Naranjo and Diego Sánchez, with Swiss Sandro Shaerer as fourth official. He replaces Mateu Lahoz, who officiated at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
FútbolSpanish VAR Referee Carlos del Cerro Gets Second World Cup Appointment
Spanish VAR referee Carlos del Cerro has been appointed for his second match at the 2026 World Cup in just over 48 hours, following a strong performance in the opening match between the United States and Paraguay. FIFA rewarded him with a new assignment as the substitute VAR for the Monday match between Belgium and Egypt at 9:00 PM. He will serve under Venezuelan main VAR Juan Soto and Brazilian referee Ramón Abatti, stepping in if Soto or Uruguayan AVAR Leodan González are unable to perform. Del Cerro previously made a decisive call in the USA-Paraguay match, overturning a yellow card issued to American defender Ream and instead booking Paraguayan Almirón for simulation, acting in accordance with the new VAR protocol rules regarding mistaken identity.
FútbolSpanish Referee Carlos del Cerro to Debut at World Cup with USA vs Paraguay Match
Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro will make his World Cup debut officiating the host nation United States against Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium, with the match taking place in the early hours of Friday to Saturday. This was reported by Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday. Another Spanish referee, Alejandro Hernández Hernández from the Canary Islands, has also been appointed but will serve as the fourth official in the Group C match between Haiti and Scotland, officiated by Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbai. Hernández Hernández will be accompanied by his compatriot José Enrique Naranjo as the fifth official. The article highlights the assignments of the two Spanish referees representing the CTA (Technical Committee of Referees) at the World Cup in the United States.
FútbolCarlos del Cerro Grande Makes World Cup Debut as VAR Referee in USA-Paraguay Match
Spanish VAR referee Carlos del Cerro Grande will make his World Cup debut during the United States vs. Paraguay match at the Los Angeles Stadium, part of the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The match, scheduled from Friday night to Saturday morning, will be officiated by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie, assisted by compatriots Hessei Steegstra and Jan De Vries. The fourth official is Japanese Yusuke Araki, with Jun Mihara as fifth official. Del Cerro Grande, from Madrid, will work in the VAR center located in Dallas, alongside Dutch AVAR Dennis Higler. He is one of two Spanish representatives at the tournament, the other being on-field referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández from the Canary Islands, whose debut date has not yet been announced.
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