The former head of PGMOL was our refereeing expert throughout the World Cup, taking a close look at the performances of the men with the whistle, as well as other talking points.
France v Spain
"Referee Ivan Barton correctly handed out the first yellow card of the game to France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who mistimed an early challenge and stood on the boot of Dani Olmo.
"A comedic element to the subsequent free-kick came after the official realised he had forgotten to bring his spray canister onto the pitch to mark the areas where the set-piece should be taken from and where the opposition wall should stand.
"It was no laughing matter, however, when Michael Olise made a 14th-minute challenge using excessive force and endangering the safety of his opponent, his studs showing as he landed on Rodri’s leg. It was a clear red card offence for Serious Foul Play.
"The law states: A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.
"The official was in a good position and had a great viewing angle to correctly award Spain a penalty kick, after Lucas Digne attempted to clear the ball but instead connected with the incoming Lamine Yamal.
"Spain’s Marc Cucurella went into the book before half-time for a reckless challenge; another correct decision by the official.
"The second half saw two decisions involving Lamine that the official got right on the first occasion but wrong on the second.
"Lamine began a run too early and was given offside, correctly, thus ensuring that Spain had to remain on their toes for the final part of the match.
"The player’s reckless challenge in the 76th minute was well worthy of a yellow card, and the fact that this wasn’t forthcoming was, frankly, a very poor piece of officiating at this level."
England v Argentina
"The first issue for referee Ismail Elfath was grappling at a seventh-minute corner, which he allowed to go unpunished.
"In a fractious opening period, he also failed to stamp his authority on this game when he didn’t produce a yellow card to the Argentina player who committed a reckless challenge on England’s Elliot Anderson.
"In fact, his record at this World Cup has shown a reluctance to book players even when it’s obvious that is the sanction required.
"Jude Bellingham’s darting run in the 31st minute was brought to a halt unfairly, but yet another yellow card offence, this time for unsporting behaviour, was allowed to go unpunished.
"With Messi fouled by Anderson, and a subsequent surrounding of the official by incensed Argentinian’s, the referee finally produced a card, with another name in the book before half-time.
"The official was correct to order a restart at the second half due to England players entering their opponents' half before the whistle had been blown, and he was also spot on in the 52nd minute when Cristian Romero’s ridiculous challenge on Bellingham got the yellow it deserved.
"In the lead-up to Lautaro Martinez’s winning goal, Messi was guilty of a foul challenge on Djed Spence, which camera angles would show was a stamp on the foot. Once again, it went unpunished.
"After full-time, Bellingham slapped Valentin Barco in the back of the head, causing another fight to break out. The England star is therefore at risk of further punishment for his actions.
"As for Argentina’s players brandishing a sign regarding the Falklands War, the Argentine FA were fined £14,000 in 2014 for showing a similar banner before a friendly, and we can therefore expect a similar punishment here."
France v England
"A game and result that no one could’ve foreseen, with the referee, Jesus Valenzuela, allowing the game to flow and officiating in a low-key manner.
"Bukayo Saka’s goal on 11 minutes was correctly ruled out by the officiating team, before a very close offside decision against Kylian Mbappe went England’s way.
"With four England goals in the first half, the referee did well to maintain a high level of concentration and controlled what was in front of him with relative ease.
"Three goals for France in the first 20 minutes of the second half ensured the surreal nature of the match continued. Mbappe’s attempts to deceive the referee with an act of simulation in the England penalty area should have seen a yellow card awarded, however.
"Some late goals saw the match end in a 6-4 win to England, and whilst I would extend my congratulations to the officiating team for their overall performance and efficiency, I would also like to offer the referee himself a piece of advice.
"The official needs to give greater consideration to his mindset and positioning. On more than one occasion, he took up positions on the pitch that blocked a player’s run, and therefore curtailed the ability for them to be able to pass the ball."
Spain v Argentina
"Spain were unlucky not to get an early free-kick following a foul just outside the penalty area by Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister, a challenge that should’ve seen referee Slavko Vincic produce the first yellow card of the final as the foul stopped a promising attack.
"Another reckless Mac Allister challenge at least saw a warning from the referee, though that too was a clear yellow card offence, and evidenced the referee being far too lenient on both occasions.
"A good detection of a handball offence by Argentina was penalised with a free kick, and yet, when Lamine Yamal was wrestled to the ground in the 28th minute, the official’s approach to these spoiling tactics again bordered on leniency.
"The final moments of the half saw a yellow card finally (and correctly) produced for a foul by Lisandro Martinez, whilst a handful of holding offences were correctly whistled.
"An historic 30-minute half-time break might’ve taken player focus away from the job in hand, and two quick free-kicks for Argentina, correctly called, suggested Spain were taking longer to get back into the game.
"Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was yellow-carded after he’d just come onto the field and immediately fouled his opponent. And that created a mass confrontation that the official did well to control.
"More spoiling tactics went unpunished before a free-kick was managed effectively on the hour, and advantage was then brilliantly applied during a move shortly after.
"Enzo Fernandez rightly received a yellow card for a public show of dissent, and his second yellow in injury time was also correctly shown. The Argentinian can have no complaints.
"I would have liked to have seen VAR intervene after the official ruled out a goal from Spain in extra time, for the alleged standing on Nicolas’ Otamendi’s foot. Frankly, this goal should have been allowed.
"In the next phase of play, Argentina were unhappy that they didn’t get a free kick after Spain’s Marc Cucurella, looking directly at the ball, ran into his opponent, who went to ground. Despite the protests that resulted in a yellow card to Giuliano Simone, the referee was spot on with his decision not to award a free-kick.
"Sadly, the scenes at the end of the game were totally unacceptable, and I hope that FIFA will take action and sanction the offenders. This wasn't a good advert for football. Furthermore, even though one player was sent off, it is my belief that the referee needed to be stronger and should’ve issued more cards, particularly in that opening quarter before the first hydration break."
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup took place from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament featured 48 national teams and was won by Spain, who beat Argentina in the final.
Full schedule and results | Group standings and bracket | Past winners of the tournament | Our team of the tournament | About the 2030 World Cup
