FIFA confirms officiating team for France-England World Cup third-place playoff

The officiating team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match between France and England has been confirmed by the governing body. The fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 18 July, at 5 p.m. local time at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Assistant referees Jorde Urrego and Tulio Morena have been appointed to the match, with Zakaria Brinsi serving as the reserve assistant referee. The specific identity of the head referee was not detailed in the initial confirmation, though the support staff for the officiating unit is now established.

The match carries significant stakes for both national teams, offering a bronze medal and $29 million in prize money. It also marks the final tournament appearance for French manager Didier Deschamps, who led the side through the group stage and knockout rounds before their semi-final exit.

Both France and England were eliminated from the semi-finals, with France suffering a 2-0 defeat to Spain and England falling 2-1 to Argentina after conceding late goals. The contest serves as a consolation prize for the two sides, with analysts predicting a tight physical contest that could potentially be decided by penalties.

The game follows a tournament marked by intense competition and logistical challenges, including a weather-disrupted group stage match where France defeated Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia after a two-hour and 12-minute delay due to severe thunderstorms.