FIFA has appointed the match officials for the blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, with experienced Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton set to take charge of the encounter.
The world football governing body announced the appointments in a post on its official X account on Monday.
“The match officials for FIFA World Cup Match 101 have been appointed,” FIFA said.
According to FIFA, Barton will officiate the highly anticipated semi-final at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, July 14, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT.
He will be assisted by fellow Salvadoran David Moran as Assistant Referee 1, while Argentina’s Antonio Pupiro has been named Assistant Referee 2.
Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg will serve as the fourth official, with his compatriot Mahbod Beigi appointed as the reserve assistant referee.
The appointment hands Barton one of the biggest fixtures of the tournament as two European football powerhouses battle for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
France secured their place in the last four after another impressive campaign built on defensive discipline and attacking quality. Led by captain Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus are aiming to reach yet another World Cup final, having lifted the trophy in 1998 and 2018 while finishing runners-up in 2006 and 2022.
A victory over Spain would see France reach a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final after appearances in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, while also marking a record-extending fifth appearance in the tournament’s final.
Spain, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the standout teams of the competition, combining their trademark possession-based football with youthful energy and clinical finishing.
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has been one of the tournament’s brightest stars as La Roja pursue only their second FIFA World Cup title. Spain won their first and only World Cup in South Africa in 2010, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time, and are now seeking their first appearance in the final since that historic triumph.
Tuesday’s showdown will renew one of European football’s fiercest rivalries, with both nations boasting rich World Cup histories. The winner will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, while the defeated side will compete in the third-place playoff.
France and Spain have met only once previously at the FIFA World Cup. That encounter came in the Round of 16 at Germany 2006, where France came from behind to defeat Spain 3-1 on their way to the final.
The semi-final also rekindles their recent rivalry following Spain’s 2-1 victory over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final, a result that sent La Roja on their way to winning the European Championship.
With a place in football’s biggest match on the line, the France-Spain semi-final is expected to deliver a captivating contest between France’s wealth of tournament experience and Spain’s exciting new generation, who have revitalised the country’s renowned possession-based style.
