FIFA has continued its phased release of referee appointments for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, unveiling the match officials selected for Matches 33 to 36 of the tournament’s group stage.
The latest batch covers several high-profile encounters, including Netherlands versus Sweden and Germany against Ivory Coast, as preparations intensify for the next round of World Cup action.
The announcement follows FIFA’s earlier confirmation of the officials assigned to Matches 9 through 12, reflecting the governing body’s ongoing strategy of revealing appointments in stages throughout the competition.
The match officials are as follows:
For Group F
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt
- Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring
- Fourth Official: Abongile Tom
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Zakhele Siwela
Group E
- Referee: Juan Gabriel Benitez
- Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Cardozo
- Assistant Referee 2: Milciades Saldivar
- Fourth Official: Khalid Alturias
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Mohammed Alabakrv
Group E
- Referee: Ning Ma
- Assistant Referee 1: Fei Zhou
- Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Almaqaleh
- Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Isaac Trevis
Group F
- Referee: Istvan Kovacs
- Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica
- Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi
- Fourth Official: Juan Calderon
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Juan Carlos Mora
Softfootball understands that among the standout names is Chinese referee Ma Ning, whose inclusion has generated widespread attention. Nicknamed the “card master” due to his strict officiating style, Ma’s appointment has been celebrated by many supporters in China.
His selection is particularly significant as he becomes the first Chinese referee to officiate at a World Cup in 24 years, marking a notable achievement for football in the country.
The announcement has also fueled discussion across social media platforms. While many fans expressed pride in seeing officials from diverse footballing nations represented on the global stage, others used the occasion to debate FIFA’s handling of political symbols and flags at matches, questioning what they perceive as inconsistencies in the organization’s policies.
As the tournament progresses, the spotlight will not only be on the players but also on the officials tasked with managing some of the world’s biggest football matches.
