A berth in the World Cup final beckons for one of France and Spain, two of the competition’s most-celebrated outfits during this year’s tournament.
The match is draped in color, with Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal set to rekindle their budding rivalry on the world’s stage.
The match will also prove notable for its refereeing crew, a unit that, while highly regarded, has also flirted with controversy at times during this year’s tournament.
With that, here’s a look at who will be donning a bright outfit when Les Bleus meet La Roja at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday.
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France vs. Spain referee: Match officials and VAR
The following officials will oversee the semifinal matchup between France and Spain.
Members of the on-field refereeing crew hail from three countries: El Salvador, Nicaragua and Sweden. The match’s referee, CONCACAF star Ivan Barton, has proven a somewhat controversial figure at the World Cup, with his propensity for red cards drawing glares during this year’s tournament.
- Referee: Ivan Barton (El Salvador)
- Assistant referees: David Moran (El Salvador), Antonio Pupiro (Nicaragua)
- 4th official: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
- Reserve AR: Mahbod Beigi (Sweden)
- VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland)
- Assistant VARs: Dennis Higler (Netherlands), Guillermo Pacheco (Mexico)
Who is referee Ivan Barton?
Barton, 35, is one of CONCACAF’s highest-profile referees, coming to prominence while calling games for the Primera Division de Futbol de El Salvador, better known La Liga Mayor — El Salvador’s top-flight soccer division.
Barton earned his FIFA accreditation in 2018. The Santa Ana, El Salvador, native has served in a variety of international tournaments over the years, from the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2019 U-17 World Cup to the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final. He officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and 2026 World Cup.
The Salvadoran has proven a famous — or perhaps infamous — presence in the world of soccer. During the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League semifinals between Mexico and the U.S., Barton issued four red cards. He was also quick to blow the final whistle, ending the match early after hearing homophobic chants ring from the stadium’s concourses.
Barton gave Paraguay star Miguel Almiron his walking papers after video captured him covering his mouth while speaking to a Turkish player in the group stage.
Ivan Barton has been announced as the referee for France vs Spain! 🇫🇷🇪🇸
Just when you thought the semifinals couldn’t get any better, they have put the most entertaining referee from the World Cup on one of them! 🤩pic.twitter.com/AA8dNjj0gR
— Sleeper Football (@SleeperFooty) July 13, 2026
All told, he is likely to garner headlines one way or another on Tuesday afternoon.
i’m being 100% serious that the addition of Ivan Barton moves Spain vs. France from a must watch World Cup semifinal to the most important televised event of the century https://t.co/bERP8UH15S
— Jon Lewis (@jlewis5211) July 13, 2026