FIFA World Cup referees appointed for India’s Brazil & Uruguay friendlies
The Blue Tigers take on Brazil & Uruguay in Kolkata.
AIFF has brought in a high-profile refereeing team from Uzbekistan for India’s upcoming high-profile friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay.
The refereeing team consists of four Uzbek referees, who bring in the experience of refereeing at multiple high profile sporting events like the FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to TOI, a senior official said: “We asked Uzbekistan to send their referees because they officiated at the World Cup. They are experienced, good enough to handle teams of Brazil and Uruguay’s stature.”
As India gear up to take on Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6, let us take a look at the match officials who will conduct the match on the ground.
Three of four Uzbek officials officiated at the FIFA World Cup 2026
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The four memeber team of referees from Uzbekistan for India’s friendly against Brazil and Uruguay consists of Ilgiz Tantashev, Rustam Lutfulin, Andrey Tsapenko and Timur Gaynullin.
Ilgiz Tantashev is among Asia’s biggest referees and was recently also part of the controversial FIFA World Cup 2026 game between France and Paraguay.
Ilgiz brings immense experience having officiated at the Summer Olympics 2024, FIFA World Cup, two AFC Asian Cups, three AFC U-23 Asian Cups, ACL Elite and also six editions of AFC Cup. He is expected to take charge of India’s friendly against Brazil, while Rustam Lutfulin will be the fourth official in the game.
However, the roles will be reversed when India play Uruguay on October 6, where Rustam Lutfulin will be the match referee and Ilgiz Tantashev will serve as the fourth official.
Andrey Tsapenko and Timur Gaynullin will be the assistant referees during these two classes, who also bring the FIFA World Cup experience alongside them.
Arunava Bhattacharya appointed as match commissioner
The matches will not be completely officiated by foreign officials, India will also have representation among the match officials.
Arunava Bhattacharya will serve as the match commissioner for both the Brazil and Uruguay friendlies. Arunava brings experience with AFC and FIFA.
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