FIFA has appointed an all-Argentine crew for the first quarterfinals between France and Morocco. The main referee for the game will be Facundo Tello. The Argentine official previously supervised Morocco's World Cup quarterfinal win against Portugal in Qatar, making this his second consecutive last-eight match involving the Atlas Lions.
Throughout his FIFA World Cup journey, Tello has shown a total of 8 yellow cards and 1 red card across his career. Tello will be assisted by Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade, whilst Dario Herrera and Cristian Navarro serve as the fourth official and reserve assistant referees, respectively.
Full list of officials for the Morocco vs France FIFA World Cup Quarterfinal
- Match Referee: Facundo Tello
- Assistant Referee 1: Juan Pablo Belatti
- Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade
- Fourth Official: Dario Herrera
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Cristian Navarro
Fans Lambast FIFA After VAR Fiasco In Round Of 16
The assignment of an all-Argentine contingent has sparked massive debates among football fans and supporters. For the first
time in the 2026 tournament, FIFA has deployed an all-Argentine officiating crew for a knockout match. French fans and media outlets, such as RMC Sport, have voiced concerns over potential bias.
This stems from the fierce international football rivalry between France and Argentina, combined with the fact that French referee FranÇois Letexier handled Argentina's tense Round of 16 win over Egypt just a day prior.
Facundo Tello's 'No Nonsense' Refereeing
Known for his no-nonsense style and firm control on the pitch, Tello has earned a reputation as a referee who does not hesitate to make big decisions when emotions run high. The 43-year-old shot to global prominence in 2022 after issuing 10 red cards during the explosive Argentine Champions Trophy final between Boca Juniors and Racing Club. His decisive handling of the heated encounter cemented his image as one of football's strictest referees.
Tello has been on FIFA's international referees list since 2019 and has steadily built an impressive resume. He officiated matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and UEFA Euro 2024 before being selected for the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026. During this tournament, he has already overseen the group-stage clashes between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as South Africa and South Korea.
His appointment also carries positive memories for Morocco. Tello was the referee during the Atlas Lions' historic 1-0 victory over Portugal in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, a result that made Morocco the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. His latest assignment reflects FIFA's continued faith in his experience at the highest level.
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-178373523952329551.webp)
