FIFA has confirmed the match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, with Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton named as the man in the middle for one of the tournament’s biggest games.
The world football governing body made the announcement on its official X account on Monday, confirming appointments for Match 101 of the competition.
France vs Spain Semi-Final: Who Are the Match Officials?
Barton will take charge of the tie at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 3:00 p.m. EDT. He will be assisted by fellow Salvadoran David Moran as first assistant referee and Argentina’s Antonio Pupiro as second assistant.
Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg has been named fourth official, with compatriot Mahbod Beigi serving as reserve assistant referee. FIFA did not provide further details on the selection criteria behind the appointments.
Barton’s assignment places him at the center of a fixture between two of European football’s most decorated nations. The winner advances to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The loser drops into the third-place playoff.
France Chasing Record Fifth World Cup Final Appearance
France arrives at this stage with history in their corner. Les Bleus have reached four World Cup finals in their history, winning the competition in 1998 and 2018 and finishing as runners-up in 2006 and 2022.
A win over Spain on Tuesday would put them in a third consecutive World Cup final, an achievement no other nation has managed in the modern era. Captain Kylian Mbappé leads the squad as France seeks to add to their collection of major honors.
Their run to the last four has been built on defensive organization and clinical attacking output. Details of individual match performances were not disclosed in FIFA’s official communication.
Spain Targeting First World Cup Final in 16 Years
Spain, meanwhile, is chasing its first World Cup final since South Africa 2010, when La Roja defeated the Netherlands to claim the title. That remains their only World Cup triumph to date.
A generation of young talent has driven their progress through this tournament. Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has drawn widespread attention as one of the standout players of the competition.
Spain’s possession-based approach has been a constant thread through their campaign. They have combined technical quality with an energy that has made them one of the harder sides to break down at this World Cup.
The two nations renew a rivalry that has intensified in recent years. Spain beat France 2-1 in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final before going on to win that tournament. Tuesday gives France the chance to settle the score on a bigger stage.
At World Cup level, these sides have met just once. France came from behind to beat Spain 3-1 in the Round of 16 at the 2006 tournament in Germany. That remains the only head-to-head between them at football’s showpiece event.
What Is at Stake at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday
The France-Spain semi-final is the first of the two last-four ties at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The fixture carries the weight of two nations with serious pedigree and genuine ambitions of lifting the trophy.
For France, the prize is a record-extending fifth final appearance and a realistic shot at a third world title. For Spain, it is the chance to end a 16-year absence from the final and put a new generation of players on the biggest stage in the game.
Ivan Barton’s appointment as referee means he joins a short list of officials trusted by FIFA to manage the pressure and scrutiny that come with a World Cup semi-final. Details about his previous World Cup assignments during this tournament were not immediately available.
FIFA confirmed no additional information beyond the official appointments at the time of publication. The governing body is expected to issue a pre-match briefing ahead of Tuesday’s tie at Dallas Stadium.
Kick-off is confirmed for 3:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
