The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals continues on Friday as Spain and Belgium meet in a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. Along with two European heavyweights battling for a place in the final four, FIFA has confirmed the full team of match officials assigned to oversee the contest.
Here is everything you need to know about the referee for Spain vs. Belgium today.
Who is the referee for Spain vs. Belgium today?
FIFA has appointed Michael Oliver of England as the referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium.
Oliver is widely regarded as one of the world’s top officials, having officiated numerous high-profile matches in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA European Championship, and previous FIFA World Cup tournaments. His experience makes him a trusted choice for one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Spain vs. Belgium referee crew
The complete officiating team for the quarterfinal includes:
- Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
- Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt (England)
- Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring (England)
- Fourth Official: Ramon Abatti (Brazil)
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Rafael Alves (Brazil)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Jarred Gillett (England)
- Assistant VAR: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)
- Support VAR: Joe Dickerson (United States)
- Support VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)
- Support AVAR: Antonio García (Uruguay)
The diverse officiating crew reflects FIFA’s international approach to assigning referees and VAR officials for knockout-stage matches.
Who is Michael Oliver?
Michael Oliver has established himself as one of football’s most respected referees. The English official has overseen some of the sport’s biggest fixtures, including:
- Premier League title-deciding matches
- UEFA Champions League knockout ties
- Major UEFA international competitions
- FIFA World Cup matches
Known for his calm demeanor and consistent decision-making, Oliver is frequently selected for high-pressure encounters involving Europe’s top clubs and national teams.
What role will VAR play?
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Jarred Gillett will lead the video review team for the Spain vs. Belgium quarterfinal.
The VAR team will monitor:
- Goals
- Penalty decisions
- Direct red cards
- Cases of mistaken identity
Any clear and obvious errors can be reviewed to help ensure the correct decisions are made throughout the match.
Why this referee assignment matters
Quarterfinal matches often feature intense competition and high stakes, making experienced officials essential. Michael Oliver’s appointment signals FIFA’s confidence in his ability to manage one of the tournament’s marquee matchups.
With both Spain and Belgium possessing technically gifted players capable of creating fast-paced attacking football, the officiating crew will likely play a crucial role in maintaining control of the game.
Spain vs. Belgium match information
- Match: Spain vs. Belgium
- Tournament: 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinal
- Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
- Venue: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Prize: Winner advances to the FIFA World Cup semifinals
Final thoughts
Michael Oliver will take charge as referee for today’s Spain vs. Belgium quarterfinal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, supported by an experienced international officiating team led by VAR official Jarred Gillett. With a semifinal berth on the line, fans can expect one of the tournament’s biggest matches to be overseen by one of football’s most accomplished referees.