2026 World Cup: Michael Oliver appointed for Ivory Coast vs Ecuador

Africa Today at 10:34

Imed Ben Amara

News Editor

14.06.26 19:00 World Cup

Ivory Coast

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Ecuador

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Ivory Coast is set to make its tournament debut against Ecuador this Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 11:00 PM GMT, in Group E of the 2026 World Cup. The match will be officiated by an English referee.

The officiating crew for the Ivory Coast vs Ecuador clash has now been revealed. FIFA has selected an all-English team to take charge of this fixture, scheduled at Philadelphia Stadium in the United States.

Michael Oliver will be the main referee in the center, assisted by his compatriots Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. The fourth official will be Saudi Arabian Khalid Alturais, with fellow countryman Mohammed Alabakry serving as the reserve assistant referee.

He previously officiated two matches in the group stage: Japan vs Costa Rica (0-1) and Saudi Arabia vs Mexico (1-2), as well as a quarter-final between Croatia and Brazil (1-1, 4-1 on penalties).

A FIFA referee since 2012, Michael Oliver was one of six English referees selected for the 2022 World Cup, alongside Anthony Taylor and assistants Simon Bennett, Gary Beswick, Stuart Burt, and Adam Nunn.

Here is the officiating team for this match:

Main referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Assistant referee 1: Stuart Burt (England)
Assistant referee 2: James Mainwaring (England)
Fourth official: Khalid Alturais (Saudi Arabia)
Reserve assistant referee: Mohammed Alabakry (Saudi Arabia)

Related teams and leagues

Ivory Coast

Ecuador

World Cup