Lionel Messi's Argentina return to action at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when they face Austria in a crucial Group J clash at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. While much of the spotlight will be on the players, the man in the middle will also attract attention as Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar takes charge of the contest.
The 40-year-old official has steadily built a reputation as one of Africa's most experienced referees and will oversee one of the biggest matches of the group stage.
Who Is Amin Mohamed Omar?
Amin Mohamed Omar is a FIFA-listed referee from Egypt who has been officiating international matches since receiving his FIFA badge in 2017.
Over the years, Omar has emerged as a regular figure in African football, handling high-profile matches in domestic
competitions, CAF tournaments and international fixtures.
His appointment for Argentina vs Austria marks another major milestone in a career that has seen him officiate some of the continent's biggest games.
World Cup 2026 Experience So Far
The Argentina-Austria clash will not be Omar's first assignment at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
He previously officiated the tournament match between South Korea and Czechia, earning another opportunity in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched fixtures of the group stage.
With both Argentina and Austria winning their opening matches, the encounter could play a decisive role in determining the Group J standings.
Amin Omar's Refereeing Record
Omar brings extensive experience into the fixture.
Across all competitions, he has officiated more than 270 matches, issuing 981 yellow cards and 25 red cards during his career.
Known for maintaining control of matches while allowing play to flow, Omar has become one of the most trusted officials within African football circles.
Africa Cup of Nations Veteran
The Egyptian referee is no stranger to major tournaments.
Omar has officiated at multiple editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, including the 2019, 2022, 2024 and 2025 tournaments.
His performances in those competitions helped strengthen his standing among FIFA's elite pool of referees and paved the way for his World Cup appointments.
Full Match Officials For Argentina vs Austria
- Referee: Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)
- Assistant Referee 1: Mahmoud Abouelregal (Egypt)
- Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Hossam Taha (Egypt)
- Fourth Official: Alejandro Hernández (Spain)
- VAR: Mamdouh Ashour (Egypt)
High Stakes Await In Texas
Argentina head into the match after Lionel Messi's hat-trick inspired a 3-0 victory over Algeria, while Austria began their campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Jordan.
With top spot in Group J potentially on the line, Amin Omar and his officiating team will face the challenge of managing a high-intensity contest featuring some of the biggest names at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
