Alireza Faghani has been appointed as the referee for England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Australian-Iranian official, 48, brings considerable experience to the high-stakes encounter, marking his third World Cup appearance.

Faghani has already overseen two matches in the tournament, including France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal and the goalless draw between Colombia and Portugal. Notably, during the France-Senegal game, he declined a penalty appeal by Kylian Mbappe despite a VAR review. His familiarity with English teams is highlighted by his role as the referee during England’s 2018 third-place playoff defeat to Belgium.

Beyond international fixtures, Faghani’s recent assignments include officiating high-profile club matches. Last year, he was in charge as Chelsea secured the FIFA Club World Cup, a significant achievement for the English club.

His selection for the England-Mexico match underscores FIFA’s continued reliance on experienced referees capable of managing the pressures of knockout-stage World Cup fixtures. The match is set to be a crucial test for both teams as they vie for a place in the quarterfinals.