List of referees & officials for Portugal vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match

Portugal and Spain to play at the World Cup after eight years.

In undoubtedly the most anticipated Round of 16 fixture of this tournament, the Portugal national football team are set to face Spain in a must-win clash of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, USA.

Portugal will enter the matchup eyeing a historic run to secure their first-ever World Cup title, equipped with a star-studded squad led by captain Cristiano Ronaldo. However, despite possessing some of the most in-form talents in world football, the nation had a shaky group stage campaign, where they finished in 2nd place with 5 points.

Portugal’s woes continued into the knockout stages, as the side secured a narrow, dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia, scoring a 94th-minute winner, despite controlling the possession during the entire game.

Spain, who entering the competition as the reigning European champions, targeted a statement campaign after a disappointing outing in the previous edition. A team hurdled with injuries, Spain made an incredible comeback after a lacklustre start, finishing as group leaders.

They carried their momentum in the Round of 32, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over Austria, asserting their big-game experience and attacking prowess ahead of the crucial clash.

Also Read: Portugal vs Spain Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32

The encounter will also mark the return of the “Iberian Derby”, one of the oldest international footballing rivalries, dating back to 1921. Both nations have met an astonishing 41 times, with Spain holding a massive edge with 17 wins compared to Portugal’s 6.

In the World Cup context, Spain and Portugal are set for their third meeting, with both sides famously playing in the 2018 World Cup group stages in a thrilling 3-3 draw, while their previous encounter in the 2010 World Cup Round of 16, where Spain edged out Portugal 1-0 on route to their first-ever title.

List of Referees for the Portugal vs Spain 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match

• Head Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
• Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick (England)
• Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn (England)
• Fourth Official: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
• Reserve Assistant Referee: Robert Kempter (Germany)
• Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Bastian Dankert (Germany)
• Assistant VAR (AVAR): Antonio García (Uruguay)

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