The highly anticipated quarter-final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will see France face off against Morocco at Boston Stadium on Thursday night. This clash revisits their semi-final encounter from the previous World Cup, where France emerged victorious as two-time champions against the determined Moroccan team.
FIFA has announced that the officiating team for this match will consist entirely of Argentine referees, headed by Facundo Tello, who will serve as the main referee.
This announcement has ignited discussions among fans from both Argentina and France, fueled by the lingering rivalry stemming from the 2022 World Cup final. There is potential for another showdown between the two nations should they advance to the finals in this tournament.
This match marks a notable first in the current World Cup edition, as it will be officiated solely by referees from one country. The selection reflects FIFA’s practice of utilizing the most accomplished referees for critical knockout stage matches.
According to Hespress, Facundo Tello, a 44-year-old referee, has been affiliated with FIFA since 2019 and is officiating his second World Cup, having made his debut at the Qatar tournament four years ago. Tello has experience in several prestigious competitions, including two FIFA World Cups, UEFA Euro 2024, Copa Libertadores, and Copa Sudamericana.
Known for his authoritative refereeing approach, Tello is unafraid to enforce disciplinary actions when warranted. He gained international recognition during the 2022 Argentine Champions Trophy final, where he issued an unprecedented 10 red cards due to escalating tensions on the field.
Moroccan supporters may recall Tello’s performance during the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, where he officiated their historic 1-0 victory over Portugal, propelling Morocco to the semi-finals for the first time ever.
Assisting Tello will be Juan Pablo Baletti and Gabriel Chade. Baletti boasts a distinguished legacy in World Cup officiating, marking his fourth consecutive tournament in 2026. He is notably the only assistant referee in this crew who has officiated a World Cup final, having been on the line during France’s triumph over Croatia in 2018.
Gabriel Chade has been recognized as a FIFA official since 2016 and has collaborated with Baletti in numerous tournaments across CONMEBOL and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. He also served as an assistant referee during the Portugal vs. Morocco match in 2022.
Dario Herrera, serving as the fourth official, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2015. He is well-regarded in Argentine football, having officiated seven matches between the fierce rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate as of May 2026. He also oversaw the Belgium vs. Iran match at this World Cup.
Completing the all-Argentine officiating team is Cristian Navarro, who will serve as the reserve assistant referee for the match.
