Just as world champions Argentina kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash against Egypt on Tuesday evening, world football body FIFA announced the refereeing line-up for the first quarter-final between France and Morocco.
For the first time in this edition of the tournament, through 96 matches, all five officials appointed for a game were from the same country: Argentina. FIFA has previously deployed on-field referees from a single nation during the tournament, but none of the previous 96 matches has had a five-man official staff from each country.
The announcement immediately sparked discussion on social media, with an all-Argentine refereeing team appointed for the quarter-finals including France, who have faced Argentina in the last two World Cup knockout rounds.
Kylian Mbappe and company beat Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling round of 16 clash at the 2018 World Cup. Four years later, however, Lionel Messi’s side made it to the final, winning 4–2 on penalties after a 3–3 draw.
Referee for this @FIFAWorldCup 97 matches are assigned. 🤝
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) 7 July 2026
All-Argentine referee line-up for Boston
According to a Spanish news website BrandFrench outlet RMC Sport Criticism of FIFA’s decision led to the governing body having “no shame” after appointing Argentine referee Facundo Tello to take charge of Thursday’s quarter-final in Boston, in the 2022 semi-final rematch.
Tello’s compatriots Juan Pablo Bellatti and Gabriel Chede will serve as assistant referees. Fellow Argentine Dario Herrera has been appointed as the fourth official, while Cristian Navarro will be the reserve assistant referee.
Neutral referees from several countries are often grouped together in World Cup matches, especially high-stakes knockout matches, to avoid bias or conflicts of interest.
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Despite the scrutiny, Tello remains one of the most respected referees in South America and is known for his hard work. He released 10 red cards during the group clash in the 2022 Trophy de Campeones final between Boca Juniors and Racing Club. He also drew criticism from Morocco after sending off forward Walid Chedira in their quarter-final win over Portugal at the 2022 World Cup.
Also read | Messi missed, scored, cried and pulled Argentina back from the dead in a FIFA World Cup epic
The 44-year-old will play a role in a match involving France for the first time in the upcoming quarter-finals.
“All Argentina referee for France match. FIFA is trying everything for Argentina to win the World Cup once again,” one user wrote on social media.
Another posted: “FIFA is not hiding this anymore. All Argentinians. Why don’t you bring Messi to check VAR?”
Ironically, social media erupted on the same night Argentina supporters criticized FIFA’s appointment of French referee Francois Letexier for their Round of 16 win over Egypt. Latexier was accompanied by two French assistant referees.
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Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback sparked protests from Egypt, whose players and coaches criticized several refereeing decisions, which they believed denied them a crucial second goal.
The France team responded
Despite the online uproar, the 2018 World Cup players have refused to be drawn into the controversy over referee appointments.
“I’m not going to focus on who the referee will be,” said defender Deot Upamecano L’Equipe.
“We’ve never done this before. We’re going to focus on Morocco. We want to win this match. That’s the most important thing.”
Third-choice goalkeeper Robin Risser struck a similar tone. “We mustn’t fall into irony; your role is to stir things up,” he said.