FIFA has announced the match officials for Match 101 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with experienced Salvadoran referee, Ivan Barton, set to officiate the blockbuster semi-final between France and Spain.

The world football governing body confirmed the appointments in a post on its official X account on Monday.

It reads, “The match officials for FIFA World Cup Match 101 have been appointed.”

According to FIFA, Barton will oversee the highly anticipated clash at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, July 14, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT.

He will be assisted by fellow Salvadoran David Moran as Assistant Referee 1, while Argentina’s Antonio Pupiro has been named Assistant Referee 2.

Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg will serve as the fourth official, with compatriot Mahbod Beigi appointed as the reserve assistant referee.

The appointment places Barton in charge of one of the biggest fixtures of the tournament, with two European football giants battling for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

France booked their place in the last four after another impressive run, relying on their blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair.

Led by captain Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus are aiming to reach another World Cup final after lifting the trophy in 2018 and finishing runners-up in 2022.

Spain, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, with Barcelona star, Lamine Yamal as one of the brightest stars.

The former world champions have impressed with their possession-based style, youthful energy and clinical finishing as they seek a second World Cup title, having last won the competition in 2010.

Tuesday’s encounter will renew one of European football’s fiercest rivalries. Both nations boast rich World Cup histories, and the winner will advance to the final, while the loser will contest the third-place playoff.

The France-Spain semi-final is one of the marquee fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pitting two of Europe’s most successful football nations against each other for a place in the final.

France are chasing a record-extending fifth appearance in a FIFA World Cup final. Les Bleus lifted the trophy on home soil in 1998 before reclaiming the title in 2018.

They also finished runners-up in 2006 and 2022, and victory over Spain would see them reach a third consecutive World Cup final after appearances in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Spain, meanwhile, are seeking only their second appearance in a World Cup final. La Roja won their maiden world title in South Africa in 2010, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time, but have not returned to the final since then. A win over France would end a 16-year wait for another shot at football’s biggest prize.

The two nations have met just once previously at the FIFA World Cup, with France coming from behind to defeat Spain 3-1 in the Round of 16 at the 2006 tournament.

The encounter will rekindle their recent rivalry following Spain’s 2-1 victory over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final, a result that propelled the Spaniards to the European title.

With a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at stake, the semi-final promises to be a compelling contest between France’s tournament experience and Spain’s resurgent, possession-based style under a new generation of players.

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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has described his side’s FIFA World Cup semi-final against France as “a final before the final”, backing his players to rise to the occasion against one of the tournament favourites.

Spain booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 victory over Belgium, setting up a blockbuster meeting with Didier Deschamps’ side.

“It’s not an exaggeration to describe this match as a final before the final.

“We’re one of the teams capable of reaching the final. From now on, we are fully focused on France,” De la Fuente said after the quarter-final victory as reported by The Guardian UK on Saturday.

While acknowledging the quality of the 2018 world champions, the Spain coach insisted his team has every reason to believe it can progress.

“We’re aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we’re the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals,” he said.

“The match will be more open than ever. We will have to raise our level of play, and we’re going to give everything.”

De la Fuente added that Spain’s belief stems from the quality throughout his squad.

“The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles. We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beating any team.”

Spain take confidence from its previous knockout success against France and will be looking to repeat that feat when the two European heavyweights meet for a place in the World Cup final.

Merino hailed after a decisive impact

De la Fuente reserved special praise for match-winner Mikel Merino, whose late goal against Belgium sent Spain into the semi-finals.

The Spain coach described the midfielder as “tailor-made” for his tactical system and highlighted the versatility that makes him such an important member of the squad despite not always starting.

“Merino has many virtues, he could play in any national team and any club, and for us, he is tailor-made for this team, for this model. We know that whenever we need him, he’s always there,” De la Fuente said.

“It’s unfair that Mikel isn’t playing, but it would be just as unfair if someone else were left out. Only 11 can play at a time, and they understand that role, the part they have to play at any given moment.”

He added that Merino’s ability to perform in multiple positions gives Spain another valuable option.

“He’s a very complete, versatile footballer; he’s played as a defensive midfielder, a number 6, a number 8, a number 10, and a number 9, and he does everything well,” De la Fuente said.

“There was a moment in the match when we were thinking of bringing him on as a centre forward. We saw that the game could go differently, and it worked out well.”

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