The International Football Federation (FIFA) has selected Portuguese referee João Pinheiro, who has a controversial officiating record in the UEFA Champions League, to oversee the anticipated clash between Argentina and Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals in Kansas City.

Pinheiro (38) was assigned to the match despite the major controversy he sparked in last season's Champions League semifinal, when he ignored a clear penalty for Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain after an explicit handball by João Neves inside the box, amid furious protests from Bayern players and coaching staff.

However, according to Argentine newspaper tycsports, the VAR room did not call him to review the incident, a situation that still angers German fans to this day.

Pinheiro's controversial record does not end there. In his first appearance in the current World Cup, he officiated the group stage match between Switzerland and Bosnia, which ended 4-1, during which he showed three yellow cards and a straight red card to defender Tarik Muharemovic in a match described as 'tense in terms of officiating.'

Pinheiro has been a familiar face in major European football tournaments since his Champions League debut in the 2022/2023 season.

He began his refereeing career in the Portuguese league in 2015, before becoming an international referee in 2016. He also officiated the European Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham last August, showing four yellow cards.

The match between Argentina and Switzerland will be his first with the Albiceleste in his career, while he previously officiated a match for Switzerland in the group stage. He also refereed the Canada vs. South Africa match in the Round of 32, showing two yellow cards.

FIFA's decision to assign a match of the magnitude of the quarterfinals to Pinheiro raises questions once again, especially as the clash brings together the world champion and title holder with the Swiss team, for which the Portuguese referee previously officiated a match that saw a straight red card and four goals.

The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup matches 99 and 100 have been appointed. 🤝 — FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 9, 2026