Argentina’s Facundo Tello will referee the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals between France and Morocco, attracting attention due to his strict officiating style and a controversial match in 2022 where he showed 10 red cards. FIFA’s decision also sparked debate as the entire officiating team for the match is from Argentina.Tello became famous after a match of the Argentine Super Cup between Boca Juniors and Racing Club, where he issued 10 red cards after several fights and collisions occurred. The match had to be abandoned after Boca was left with less than seven players, which is against the rules.Since becoming a referee in 2012, Tello has handed out more than 2,000 yellow cards and more than 75 red cards. In this World Cup, he has already overseen two group stage games, showing five yellow cards in Canada’s draw with Bosnia and two in South Africa’s win over South Korea. Frenchman Michael Olise will also have to avoid a booking, as another yellow card will rule him out of a potential semi-final.FIFA has confirmed that Tello, along with assistants Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade, will officiate the quarter-final, making it the first match at the 2026 World Cup to feature an all-Argentine refereeing team. The decision raised eyebrows because Argentina is still part of the tournament.However, France’s players have insisted they are not worried about the appointment. Defender Dayot Upamecano said: “I don’t have to focus on who will be the referee. We have never done this before, we have to focus on Morocco.”The goalkeeper Robin Risser also supported the officials, saying: “There has been some bitterness for a few years since the last final, but that is part of the game. If these referees are there, it is because they are at the level of the competition.”
