Who will referee Spain vs Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2026 match?

Spain and Saudi Arabia to compete at the World Cup after 20 years.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its second round of group stage fixtures, Spain are set to play in a must-win clash against Saudi Arabia in Group H at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, USA.

Spain, entering as the absolute favourites to win the entire tournament, aim to put behind them their disastrous 2022 campaign, where the side was shockingly eliminated in the Round of 16. Under manager Luis de la Fuente, the nation arrived with huge expectations after managing to win the 2024 UEFA Euros.

They played their opening fixture against debutants Cape Verde, considered a comfortable fixture for the European side. However, the performances were underwhelming as Cape Verde managed to hold the heavyweights to a 0-0 draw, earning the nation’s first-ever points. Spain dominated the entire game, controlling 74 percent of the possession. However, their attack lacked the final instincts in front of the goal.

Saudi Arabia are arriving after a highly acclaimed 2022 World Cup. Though the side was eliminated in the group stage, they were praised for their organized, direct style of football. They are widely known for being the only nation to defeat the eventual champions Argentina during the campaign, securing a historic 2-1 win.

Playing the competition under new manager Georgios Donis, they played their group stage opener against South American giants Uruguay, securing a historic 1-1 draw. The team’s defensive display and exceptional performance by goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais helped them secure a competitive standing in the group, with the top spot available after all four teams drew their matchups.

Also Read: Preview: Spain vs Saudi Arabia prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

Spain and Saudi Arabia have squared off against each other only three times, with their most memorable encounter coming at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, when both nations met in the group stage. Spain secured a narrow 1-0 win, subsequently eliminating Saudi Arabia from the tournament.

List of Referees for the Spain vs Saudi Arabia 2026 World Cup match

• Head Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
• Assistant Referee 1: Danilo Manis (Brazil)
• Assistant Referee 2: Rodrigo Figueiredo (Brazil)
• Fourth Official: Andrés Rojas (Colombia)
• Reserve Assistant Referee: Alexander Guzmán (Colombia)

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