Why can't Michael Oliver, Anthony Taylor & Facundo Tello officiate FIFA World Cup 2026 final?

The FIFA World Cup final will be played on July 19.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is currently in its final stretch. Our four teams remain in the tournament, and all of them will play two games, either by reaching the final or dropping to the third-place game.

Two-time champions France are set to face Spain, who have reached the semi-finals of the summer competition for only the second time. Meanwhile, defending champions Argentina are set to lock horns against arch-nemesis England, who have been led by German tactician Thomas Tuchel.

However, before the final fixture settles, FIFA’s rules have clarified which officials are eligible to take charge of the clash.

And Michael Oliver, who has broken Howard Webb’s record for the most World Cup games officiated by an English referee alongside his compatriot Anthony Taylor, is out of contention. Argentine referee Facundo Tello also can’t be named in the official list for the game.

Why can’t Michael Oliver, Anthony Taylor, and Facundo Tello officiate the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?

According to the FIFA rule, English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have already taken charge of their last games in the ongoing FIFA World Cup. The second semifinal of the World Cup is set to be played between Argentina and England.

Officials cannot officiate games involving their own country to avoid potential bias. That rules out their possibility of taking charge of the second semifinal. Meanwhile, either Argentina or England will also advance further to the FIFA World Cup final.

And no English or Argentine official can be part of the game due to the long history of political tensions between the two sides. Due to the 1982 Falklands War, the summit clash will be officiated by officials from outside the two countries involved.

FIFA has considered the longstanding tensions between England and Argentina; thus, the rule has been created. Additionally, after La Albiceleste’s comeback triumph over Egypt in the round of 16, Argentine players were reportedly singing “Muchachos,” a song that references the British overseas territory.

The rule also prevented Anthony Taylor from taking charge of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, which was played between France and Argentina. Argentine referee Facundo Tello is also not eligible for the final. They also cannot officiate the third-place game, which will either include Argentina or England.

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