Official | Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton to officiate

FIFA has elected to pick Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton to officiate the first 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. Les Bleus clash with the 2024 UEFA Euros winners at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium with a spot for Sunday’s final at stake. The losing side will play Saturday’s Bronze final in Miami against either England or Argentina.

The 35-year-old Barton made headlines early in this World Cup by sending off Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron after he covered his mouth in talking to Turkey’s Mert Müldür. The Salvadoran official has plenty of experience at the highest level, L’Equipe writes. Barton notably officiated several Concacaf Champions Cup finals.

France v Spain will be the seventh 2026 World Cup game he’ll be in charge of. He has never overseen a game that involved France nor Spain.

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PublishedJul 13, 2026, 1:20 AMThis story was published by BC Post.

ImportedJul 13, 2026, 2:00 AMThe item entered the BC Post source pipeline.

Official | Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton to officiate France v Spain World Cup semi-final

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