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FIFA has officially confirmed that English referee Anthony Taylor will officiate one of the most anticipated clashes of the 2026 World Cup Round of 16: the Iberian derby between Portugal and Spain. The match is scheduled for July 6th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas.
Taylor's appointment has sparked a wave of commentary in Spain due to recent controversial incidents under his officiating. The Englishman was the head referee for the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany, where he controversially failed to award a penalty for a handball by Marc Cucurella – a decision later acknowledged as incorrect by UEFA's Referees Committee. Spaniards also recall the 2021 Nations League final with displeasure, where Taylor allowed a contentious Kylian Mbappé goal that secured the title for France.
The Portuguese national team also has its own negative history with Taylor, including a 2-4 loss to Germany at Euro 2020. Now, Roberto Martínez's squad will need to navigate the pressure of the big stage, while the referee will aim to avoid further controversy in this crucial knockout fixture.
Anthony Taylor, a Premier League elite referee since 2010, has already officiated two matches at the current World Cup: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia and Senegal vs. Iraq. In Dallas, his assistants will be Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn. German official Felix Zwayer has been appointed as the fourth official, with Robert Kempter serving as the reserve assistant.
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