The former head of PGMOL will be 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.
Brazil vs Japan
"This was a very enjoyable game for the neutral to watch, Japan setting the scene by scoring the opening goal in the 29th minute with a direct shot on goal from Sano.
"The match was open and, with the clock ticking down, Brazil's Casemiro brought the scores level. As the match was moving towards extra time, Gabriel Martinelli scored the winning goal in the 95th minute.
"Referee Maurizio Mariani allowed the game to flow and didn't hesitate to produce yellow cards for fouls that stopped promising attacks. Indeed, he and his colleagues delivered a very good performance."
Germany vs Paraguay
"Having defended really well, Paraguay scored the opening goal in the 42nd minute of a game that Germany were performing well below par in, though Die Mannschaft did manage to score the equaliser in the 54th minute.
"In extra time, Germany thought they'd scored again to take the lead; however, VAR intervened, and after review, the referee ruled the goal out for an alleged foul on the goalkeeper.
"Given that football is a contact sport, and the goalkeeper went to ground far too easily, it was a poor decision by the referee, in my opinion, and the goal shouldn't have been disallowed.
"The game deteriorated with players losing their discipline, and the referee working hard to maintain control. During that period, Jamal Musiala should've received a red card for a Serious Foul Play challenge.
"The law states that: 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.
"When you read the law, then I am satisfied that Musiala should've received a red card for a malicious challenge that was born out of frustration.
"There was clearly excessive force that endangered the safety of his opponent, and Musiala was out of control when he made the lunge.
"I was disappointed that VAR failed to intervene, and though Paraguay went on to record a famous victory on penalties, the focus will remain on that disallowed goal and the officials' reluctance to send off Musiala."
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup is taking place from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament features 48 national teams and is played at 16 modern stadiums.
Match schedule and times | Group tables | How to watch the World Cup | World Cup Format | Past winners of the World Cup
Netherlands vs Morocco
"This was referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio's third game of the tournament. A referee, don't forget, who dished out three red cards in the opening game of the World Cup.
"In his quest to keep the game flowing, he was prepared to take risks by not penalising every foul challenge.
"As it turned out, it was an extremely entertaining watch, with Morocco dominating much of the game, missing chances due to some terrific goalkeeping from Bart Verbruggen, who was outstanding.
"Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 72nd minute before Issa Diop scored in stoppage time.
"With players tiring, leading to mistakes from both teams, we were treated to an exciting ending to the game as Morocco qualified after a nerve-tingling penalty shoot-out."
Ivory Coast vs Norway
"Referee Jesus Valenzuela contributed to the positive flow of this game by being prepared to apply advantage.
"Norway took a first-half lead through Antonio Nusa before Amad Diallo equalised. Who else but Erling Haaland would score a late winner?!
"In the closing minutes, following a foul by Norway's Martin Odegaard, there was a coming together by a number of players, but that was quickly and expertly diffused by the referee.
"For the first time in their history, Norway qualify for the last 16, and will face Brazil."
France vs Sweden
"In the end, an easy win for France thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe and a goal from Bradley Barcola.
"From a refereeing standpoint, the reckless challenge by Sweden's Victor Lindelof in the 37th minute warranted a yellow card, but Danny Makkelie kept it in his pocket."
Mexico vs Ecuador
"Mexico were also comfortable winners in the Azteca Stadium.
"Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie became the second player at this tournament (after Paraguay's Miguel Almiron) to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent.
"Good to see the correct application of the rules in this regard."
England vs DR Congo
"A terrific opening goal from Brian Cipenga in the seventh minute really lit the blue touch paper in this one.
"England were then denied a clear penalty when Harry Kane was fouled by the goalkeeper, who made no attempt to play the ball. A poor piece of officiating.
"The Three Lions were not at their best, and the tension was rising when Kane scored. His sensational late winner was worthy of sending his side into the next round."
Belgium vs Senegal
"Senegal were two-nil up and coasting into the next round, and the referee was having a good game, allowing it to flow by not whistling every time a player went to ground.
"The game was turned on its head with two quick Belgian goals in the 86th and 89th minutes.
"In extra time, both teams were much more cautious, and you could see a lot of tired legs. To be honest, I would like to see games, if level at 90 minutes, go straight to penalty kicks to decide the winner.
"A tired extra-time challenge, which appeared to be a natural coming together of two players, resulted in the VAR advising the referee to visit the pitchside monitor.
"To Senegal's amazement, he awarded a penalty kick to Belgium, Tielemans hitting the back of the net with a goal that decided the tie.
"In my opinion, VAR was wrong to intervene.
"The referee had not made a clear and obvious error, and after taking a great deal of time reviewing the incident, he made the wrong decision by awarding a penalty because it wasn't a foul."
USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
"Early in the game, a USA player went to ground looking for a penalty kick, which was rightly waved away by the referee.
"Folarin Balogun then thought he'd scored for the hosts, but the flag was raised for offside - another good decision by the assistant referee.
"Balogun would go on to score, but in the 64th minute, he received a red card.
"This was a classic incident where VAR, with the hindsight of replays and slow motion, determines that the referee has made a clear and obvious error in not immediately sending the player off.
"In real time, this looks to be an unfortunate accident, and I didn't see any malice in that challenge. The referee judged the incident in the same way on the field and took no action.
"However, when VAR sent the referee to the pitchside monitor and showed him the replays in slow motion, he clearly saw studs raking down the player's calf and Achilles.
"These replays take away that natural and accidental action and leave the referee with pictures that frankly leave him with no other option than to red card the unfortunate player.
"Another very good decision by the assistant referee came late on, when the USA were again flagged for offside."
Spain vs Austria
"We have become used to grappling offences going unpunished in the Premier League, so it’s refreshing to see referee Glenn Nyberg take a tough line and correctly rule out the Spanish goal for a foul on the goalkeeper.
"I do think that Nyberg, after delivering this sort of quality performance, will open up his chances of officiating the final."
Portugal vs Croatia
"After Portugal had squandered so many chances to score in the first half, it was Croatia that opened the scoring through Ivan Perisic.
"Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had scored, but the assistant raised his flag, and the goal was ruled out for offside.
"Replay graphics showed that in leaning forward to make a run, Ronaldo’s shoulder was the body part that ruled the goal out.
"Frankly, the offside law should not be about millimetres, and for me, the sooner we can introduce Arsene Wenger’s idea (where he wants clear space between forward and defender), the better, as this would ensure this type of strike isn't ruled out.
"At the start of the World Cup, too, we were informed that grappling (holding/pulling, blocking) would be penalised, so very well done to the match officials for penalising a clear holding offence by Croatia, Ronaldo scoring the subsequent penalty.
"Though Portugal took the lead in added time through Goncalo Ramos, the game ended in controversy after Croatia scored to make the scores level, and send the match into extra time.
"The celebrations were quickly brought to a halt after VAR sent the referee to the pitch-side monitor.
"Replays showed that the pass into Portugal's penalty area had been headed by Croatia’s number 20 on its way to the goalscorer, who was standing in an offside position.
"The goal was therefore correctly ruled out by England-based Premier League referee Jarred Gillett."
Australia vs Egypt
"Both teams played attacking football in the opening stages of the game.
"Referee Gustavo Tejera was in charge, but struggling to keep control given the sheer amount of early transgressions in this match.
"An exciting game which saw Egypt progress via penalty kicks."
Argentina vs Cape Verde
"A game that excited fans around the world, because the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, Cape Verde, would get to face up to Lionel Messi and Argentina.
"It was a terrific game that was well officiated throughout by referee Drew Fischer, who adopted a low-key approach."
Canada vs Morocco
"Referee Michael Oliver officiated his third game at this World Cup, and in the 40th minute, the beginnings of a mass confrontation were quickly diffused by his strong intervention.
"Having calmed things down, he issued yellow cards for Achraf Hakimi and Richie Laryea, whilst also clamping down on foul play more generally, with Jonathan David becoming the fourth player to be shown a yellow card in the first half as he threw Brahim Diaz to the ground to stop a promising attack.
"Morocco scored three times in the second half to comfortably win the match."
Paraguay vs France
"I have just witnessed a very poor performance from referee Ilgiz Tantashev, who should not be allowed to officiate another game at this World Cup.
"He failed to recognise the spoiling tactics employed by Paraguay and the misconduct of several players.
"With the referee several yards away, he issued a yellow card to France's Bradley Barcola for an alleged reckless challenge on Juan Jose Caceres, but replays showed no contact. It was a very poor decision from the referee.
"Paraguay's tactics were clearly designed to reduce the amount of playing time. Sadly, weak officiating failed to recognise this, and they didn't act to apply the law and stop it.
"In the 34th minute, Mbappe, having been fouled, lashed out at his opponent, sparking a mass confrontation between the players.
"Referees are advised that when a mass confrontation takes place, a minimum of two yellow cards should be issued to enforce their authority.
"An off-the-ball incident in the 38th minute saw a Paraguay player illegally using his arm on Mbappe, with a reckless action that took place in sight of the referee, and warranted a yellow card at the minimum.
"He took no action.
"In the 68th minute, a French player dribbled the ball inside his opponent's penalty area and was brought down by a clear trip.
"The referee initially allowed play to continue upfield until it came to a natural conclusion.
"Only then did the VAR intervene, and after a review, the referee awarded a penalty kick to France, which decided the outcome of the match."
Why England could struggle against Mexico
"I have had the pleasure of officiating an international game in the iconic Azteca Stadium, and having to cope with the heat, humidity and altitude.
"In my visits to officiate games in Mexico, I always arrived five days earlier in order to acclimatise and prepare for the game.
"On my first day of arrival, like a lot of people, the altitude would trigger a headache due to the lack of oxygen in the air, because Mexico City is 7,000 ft above sea level.
"Germany arrived in Mexico only the day before the game, and I saw their players gasping for air after a short, explosive sprint. Several players had to be substituted due to the altitude.
"At half-time, even though I was feeling well, all of the officials had oxygen delivered to us.
"The question the England team's medical staff should be asking FIFA is: "Can we have oxygen available for use during the game?"
"Then the players need to be aware of the movement and of the ball and the distance it travels due to altitude.
"For example, I remember taking up my usual position at the first goal kick in that game, and instead of the ball landing in or near the centre circle, it went right the way into the opposition's penalty area.
"The conditions will certainly not be ideal for England, and Mexico also have home advantage."
In other news...
"I understand that UEFA will not be issuing a red card to any player who covers their mouth with their hand.
"I see that as a positive course of action, but it appears that FIFA and UEFA are not on the same page with regard to the law and its application.
"FIFA has confirmed that Croatia’s equaliser against Portugal was correctly ruled out for offside due to technology housed inside the World Cup ball.
"Goncalo Ramos’ header put Portugal 2-1 up in the fourth minute of added time, but it looked like Croatia had scored a dramatic equaliser when Josko Gvardiol nudged them level.
"Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL), the organisation that manages the match officials in England who officiate at the professional level, and who I was boss of for a number of years, have announced that they are changing the name to Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref).
"Interestingly, years ago, I advised MLS and US Soccer on the structure of PGMOL when MLS were moving towards using professional referees.
"It was during those discussions that I suggested that their organisation should have the name Pro Ref - the name that continues to be used by that organisation.
"A clash of names that will now undoubtedly occur may not be a satisfactory position, and an adjustment to the title may have to be made.
"I anticipate that the American organisation will start legal proceedings too."
Jason Pettigrove has been the features writer for Flashscore since 2025, utilising Opta data to form the basis of his articles. He has previously worked for high profile football clubs, news and media outlets, both in print and digital, and can usually be found watching FC Barcelona when time permits. You can read more of his pieces here.
