The 2026 World Cup semi-finals get underway tonight as France take on Spain in Dallas.
France have been the team to beat so far this tournament and sealed their place in the semi-finals with a comfortable 2-0 win over Morocco.
Spain, meanwhile, were once again left thankful to the late heroics of Mikel Merino as the Arsenal midfielder pounced on a mistake by goalkeeper Senne Lammens to seal a 2-1 win over Belgium.
France have reached the final in each of the last two World Cups, and are looking to become just the third team in history to reach three successive finals.
This, however, is uncharted territory for Spain, who have not reached the semi-finals since they lifted the World Cup in 2010.
Who is the France vs Spain referee?
Ivan Barton has been appointed by FIFA to take charge of proceedings between France and Spain.
The 35-year-old has taken charge of three games at the 2026 World Cup, most recently officiating Switzerland’s last-16 penalty shoot-out victory over Colombia.
Barton, who is from El Salvador, infamously officiated the group stage game between Paraguay and Turkey in which he became the first referee to send a player off, following a VAR review, for covering their mouth while talking to an opponent.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was shown a red card for covering his mouth when talking to a Turkish player following an altercation between the teams.
But while the red card itself marked a moment in history, it was Barton’s animated delivery of the decision that drew attention and made him a household name among supporters.
Barton’s delivery of the line “after review, number 10, Paraguay, cover his mouth, decision is red card” has become an internet sensation, and he will be remembered long after the World Cup finishes this weekend.
Decision is RED CARD‼️ pic.twitter.com/P12xiZFRfZ
— Epic Red Cards 🟥 (@epicredcards) June 24, 2026
Aside from becoming a figure of fun online, Barton is one of CONCACAF's highest-profile referees and also officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
A no-nonsense referee, he once issued four red cards during the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League semifinals between Mexico and the U.S before stopping the game early after hearing homophobic chants from the stands.
