The main refereeing committee of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has selected Egyptian international referee Mahmoud Ashour as part of the officiating crew for the match between Spain and Belgium, scheduled for the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

The anticipated European showdown will take place at 10:00 PM Cairo time at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, officiated by an English refereeing team led by Michael Oliver as the center referee.

FIFA has assigned Ashour the role of reserve video assistant referee for the match, continuing his notable presence in the World Cup.

This marks his eighth appearance in charge of video technology during the tournament, making him the most involved referee in the VAR room in the current edition.

The repeated reliance on Ashour underscores the confidence of FIFA's refereeing committee in the Egyptian referee's competence and extensive experience at the highest level, particularly in decisive knockout-stage matches.

The officiating crew consists of: Englishman Michael Oliver as center referee, assisted by Stuart Burt as first assistant, Meringo James as second assistant, Ramon Abati as fourth official, and Brazilian Raphael Alves as reserve assistant referee.

In the video technology room: Englishman Gillett Garder as chief VAR, assisted by Croatians Ivan Bebek and Dickerson Jo, while Egyptians Mahmoud Ashour and Antonio Garcia serve as reserve video assistant referees.

Eighth Appearance: Mahmoud Ashour as Reserve VAR for Spain vs. Belgium in World Cup Quarter-Final 🇪🇬👏

The main refereeing committee of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has decided to appoint Egyptian international referee Mahmoud Ashour as reserve video assistant referee for the match between Spain and Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals… pic.twitter.com/myqsqC1Qpv

— EFA.eg (@EFA) July 9, 2026