Ilgiz Tantashev to referee France vs Paraguay last-16 tie | OneFootball

FIFA confirmed on Thursday evening that Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev will take charge of France’s last-16 tie against Paraguay on Saturday at 23:00, his third World Cup match.

He will be assisted by compatriots Andrey Tsapenko and Timur Gaynullin. The 42-year-old, who had limited top-level international exposure before this World Cup in the United States, is a regular in the Uzbek top flight and has handled more than 20 AFC Champions League fixtures.

At this World Cup he oversaw Scotland-Morocco 0-1 and Algeria-Austria 3-3 in the group stage.

He has not previously taken charge of the senior France side. At Paris 2024 he refereed France’s Olympic team, including the 1-0 quarter-final against Argentina, which saw Millot sent off and 10 yellow cards, five each. He then started the Spain-Morocco semi-final but suffered a 12th-minute injury and was replaced.

He also took part in the Club World Cup in the United States last year.

The tie will be played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where high temperatures and possibly thunderstorms are expected. The same Pennsylvania venue hosted France’s 3-0 group win over Iraq, a match interrupted for two hours because of the weather.

Source: L'Équipe