The stakes could not be higher as Mexico and England meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, and FIFA has confirmed the officiating crew for the highly anticipated knockout clash.
Australian referee Alireza Faghani will take charge of the match, bringing one of the tournament’s most experienced officials to one of its biggest fixtures. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals, making every decision under the spotlight.
Who is the referee for Mexico vs England?
FIFA has appointed Alireza Faghani (Australia) as the center referee for the Round of 16 match between Mexico and England.
The full officiating crew includes:
- Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
- Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis (Australia)
- Assistant Referee 2: James Lindsay (Australia)
- Fourth Official: Amin Omar (Egypt)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)
Who is Alireza Faghani?
Faghani is widely regarded as one of FIFA’s most accomplished referees. Originally from Iran, he now represents Australia internationally and has officiated at multiple major tournaments throughout his career.
Among his notable appointments are:
- FIFA World Cup 2018
- FIFA World Cup 2022
- FIFA World Cup 2026
- 2016 Olympic men’s football final
- 2015 AFC Asian Cup Final
- 2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final
His extensive résumé has made him one of FIFA’s most trusted officials for high-pressure knockout matches.
Why is Faghani’s appointment drawing attention?
Despite his experience, Faghani enters the Mexico vs England match after receiving criticism earlier in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During the group-stage match between France and Senegal, he came under scrutiny after declining to award Kylian Mbappé a penalty following a VAR review. The decision sparked widespread debate among fans, former referees, and television pundits, with many believing France should have been awarded a spot kick.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey described the decision as one of the tournament’s biggest officiating controversies and questioned FIFA’s decision to assign Faghani another marquee knockout match.
Mexico vs England promises high drama
With a place in the quarterfinals on the line, the Round of 16 clash is expected to be one of the most intense matches of the tournament. Mexico will enjoy strong home support, while England enters hoping to continue its pursuit of a first FIFA World Cup title since 1966.
Given the pressure surrounding both teams—and the attention already focused on the officiating crew—every major decision from Faghani and the VAR team is likely to be closely analyzed throughout the match.
Mexico vs England referee
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
Assistant Referees:
- George Lakrindis (Australia)
- James Lindsay (Australia)
Fourth Official: Amin Omar (Egypt)
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)