Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:33pm on 13 Jul 2026,Monday Sports
If Argentina reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, English referees will not be chosen to officiate the match. FIFA avoids appointing referees when political issues could raise questions about fairness. The decision is linked to the long-running Falklands dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Officials say the aim is to avoid any perception of bias. The same rule also affects matches that could influence a country's path in the tournament. FIFA considers politics, geography and neutrality when selecting referees. Final appointments are made by FIFA's refereeing department based on performance and other factors. (PC: AFP)
