The referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Bronze Final has officially been confirmed, with Jesús Valenzuela Sáez of Venezuela selected to officiate the third-place playoff between France and England.
The match will take place on Saturday, July 18, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.
Who Is Officiating the 2026 FIFA World Cup Bronze Final?
FIFA has appointed Jesús Valenzuela Sáez as the referee for the match between France and England. Valenzuela is one of South America’s most experienced officials and has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2013.
He has officiated numerous high-profile international matches, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Copa América fixtures, and matches at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Full Officiating Crew
The complete officiating team for the Bronze Final includes:
- Referee: Jesús Valenzuela Sáez (Venezuela)
- Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego
- Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno
- Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed
The assistant referees, Urrego and Moreno, are also from Venezuela and have frequently worked alongside Valenzuela in international competitions.
Jesús Valenzuela’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches
Before receiving the assignment for the third-place playoff, Valenzuela officiated several matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including:
- Australia vs. Turkey (Group Stage)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar (Group Stage)
- Norway vs. Ivory Coast (Round of 32)
His consistent performances throughout the tournament earned him one of FIFA’s final officiating appointments.
When Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup Bronze Final?
The third-place match will be played:
- Match: France vs. England
- Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Bronze Final
- Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
- Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
- Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
The Bronze Final determines which semifinal loser finishes third in the tournament, while the winner receives the bronze medal.
Why FIFA Chose Jesús Valenzuela
FIFA typically assigns experienced referees to the tournament’s final matches based on their performances throughout the competition. Since officials selected for the FIFA World Cup Final generally do not referee other matches involving finalists, Valenzuela’s appointment to the Bronze Final reflects FIFA’s confidence in his performances during the tournament.
His experience at previous FIFA competitions and major CONMEBOL tournaments made him a strong candidate for one of the World Cup’s showcase matches.
Final Thoughts
With France and England battling for third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, all eyes will also be on referee Jesús Valenzuela Sáez, who has been entrusted with officiating one of the tournament’s final fixtures. His appointment caps another successful World Cup campaign and places him in charge of one of international football’s most prestigious matches.