Alireza Faghani will take the whistle for one of the most anticipated group stage matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA has confirmed the Australian-based referee for France vs Senegal, scheduled for June 16, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

The appointment makes Faghani the first referee in the history of the men’s tournament to officiate across four separate World Cups, having previously worked matches in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

The crew and the context

Faghani won’t be alone on the pitch. Fellow Australian officials George Lakrindis and James Lindsay will serve as assistant referees, while Shaun Evans handles VAR duties.

Faghani’s resume makes the selection logical. During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he officiated France vs Argentina, a round-of-16 classic that ended 4-3 and is widely remembered as one of the best knockout matches in recent tournament history.

Born in Iran, Faghani relocated to Australia and now represents the Football Australia officiating program.

A bigger tournament, higher stakes for officiating

The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format. The tournament is spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it the first World Cup hosted by three nations simultaneously.

FIFA has leaned heavily on VAR technology since its full debut at the 2018 World Cup, and the system will be central to the 2026 tournament. Faghani has extensive experience working with VAR across multiple tournaments, including the Asian Cup and A-League in Australia.