Ivan Barton to referee France vs Spain 2026 World Cup semi-final | OneFootball

FIFA has appointed Ivan Barton to referee the first 2026 World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, scheduled for Tuesday at 21:00.

The 35-year-old Salvadoran has already handled nearly 280 senior matches, including several Concacaf Champions Cup finals, the region’s equivalent of the Champions League. This will be his seventh World Cup match.

At this tournament, Barton was the first to apply one of FIFA’s new rules, dismissing Miguel Almiron for covering his mouth during Türkiye’s 1-0 win over Paraguay while speaking with Mert Müldür. The measure followed controversy involving Vinicius and Gianluca Prestianni in the Champions League.

He will oversee France’s senior side for the first time. He previously took charge of the France U17s at the 2019 World Cup, including the semi-final against Brazil that finished 2-3.

Two years later he also sent off Randal Kolo Muani in France’s 0-4 defeat to Japan at the Olympics. It will likewise be a first for him with the Spanish national team.

Source: L'Équipe