The knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup or any tournament is also of more interest not only because of the performance of the teams or top stars. The appointment of referees is also always a hot topic to start controversy, such as the selection of an all-Argentinian referee team to officiate the France - Morocco match in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
Of course, many people are questioning this decision, because France (championship contender) is very likely to clash with defending champion Argentina in the final - recreating the 2022 cup match. Besides, there are also many questions about FIFA not choosing English referees including Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver to officiate Argentina's matches.
Main factors considered
The most important factor determining the appointment of referees at the World Cup is teamwork efficiency, because main referees are often paired in fixed positions with 2 assistants throughout the tournament. This is a long-term monitoring process of the FIFA Refereeing Committee, chaired by Pierluigi Collina - one of the greatest former referees in history.
Although form and accurate decisions are prerequisites, geopolitical factors also play an important role. It is clear that referees cannot officiate their country's matches. In addition, a referee will not be assigned to a match whose result directly affects their home team at the tournament.
For example, an English referee will not be allowed to officiate another match in the same group of the England team (such as Panama - Croatia). In addition, the English referee cannot officiate the Argentina - Switzerland match, because the winning team is likely to meet England in the semi-finals.
However, this principle only applies to the "next match" and does not count further. That is why the refereeing team entirely of Argentinians is still allowed to officiate the quarter-final match France won against Morocco, regardless of whether France is Argentina's potential opponent in the final.
Usually, FIFA prioritizes the appointment of referees belonging to the neutral federation. If an African team faces a South American team, a European referee can be the choice. Similarly, that neutrality can be reciprocated: If 2 European countries face each other, the referee can also be European.
Geopolitical factors
There are also other geopolitical reasons. For example, an American referee will not be assigned to officiate Iran's match at this World Cup. Although there are no rigid rules, FIFA always tries to use practical sensitivity when appointing and is very aware of sensitive political situations. This process is described as "quite flexible".
A FIFA spokesman confirmed that the 1982 Falklands conflict was a sensitive political topic, a factor being considered - therefore, a British referee will not be appointed for Argentina's match, or a match whose result directly affects Argentina's next match, and vice versa. This is why Oliver or Taylor will not officiate the final, as England and Argentina face each other in the semi-finals.
However, conflicts from World War II are no longer a limited factor, so a German referee can still officiate England's match.
But there were also exceptions. Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo once officiated the scandalous 2006 World Cup quarter-final when England lost to Portugal. That match was marked by Wayne Rooney's controversial red card after a collision with Ricardo Carvalho.
So far, FIFA has not been able to confirm why the current guidelines related to the Falklands conflict were not applied 20 years ago.
