English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor will not be allowed to officiate any match involving the Argentine national team at the 2026 World Cup, despite being among the tournament's top referees, due to political and geopolitical considerations linked to the legacy of the Falklands War.

According to The Athletic, Oliver will officiate the Spain vs. Belgium match in the quarter-finals, making it his seventh match in the tournament, the most matches an English referee has handled in a single World Cup. However, his chances of refereeing the final seem very slim.

This is because FIFA regulations prevent referees from officiating matches involving their own national teams, to maintain neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest. However, for English referees, the ban also extends to matches involving Argentina due to the historical dispute between the two countries over the Falkland Islands.

Falklands War Legacy

The Falklands War broke out in 1982 and lasted 74 days between the United Kingdom and Argentina, ending with the surrender of Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British control.

The war resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers, and three islanders. The issue remains a sensitive topic in Argentina, with President Javier Milei regularly reaffirming his country's claim to sovereignty over the islands.

How Does FIFA Select Referees?

FIFA appoints referees for each match separately, taking into account a range of factors, including geopolitical considerations.

Under this policy, a referee from a country with political or historical conflicts with another country is not assigned to officiate a match involving that national team, to avoid any suspicion of bias or conflict of interest.

This is not limited to England and Argentina; the same rule could apply to other conflicts, such as not assigning matches involving Iran to referees from the United States, or vice versa.

Not Just National Team Matches

These criteria also extend to matches that could directly affect the progress of the referee's own national team in the tournament.

For this reason, English referees were not candidates to officiate any match in England's group during the group stage, nor will they be candidates to officiate the Switzerland vs. Argentina quarter-final, because the winner could face England in the semi-finals if England beats Norway.

Principle Also Applied in Club Tournaments

The same idea is applied in club competitions. In the English Premier League, referees are prohibited from officiating matches of clubs from their own region or with which they have connections that could raise suspicions.

For this reason, Michael Oliver does not officiate Newcastle United or Sunderland matches because he is from north-east England.

Final Decision

The referee appointments are overseen by a team led by Pierluigi Collina, who has the final say in selecting officiating crews for each match, taking into account technical, geographical, and political aspects to ensure the highest levels of integrity and neutrality in the tournament.