Alireza Faghani Set to Referee England vs Mexico

The last‑16 clash between England and Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium is scheduled for Sunday night, marking a blockbuster night in the World Cup 2026 campaign.

The 48‑year‑old official moved from Iran to Australia in 2019 and has been active on Aussie fields since 2023. This summer he returns for his third FIFA World Cup appearance.

His pedigree includes four assignments in Russia 2018, where he oversaw France’s defeat of Argentina, England’s third‑place play‑off loss to Belgium and Mexico’s win over Germany. Earlier in his career he handled the men’s Olympic gold medal match in 2016 and last year’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG.

Faghani has faced scrutiny at this tournament after opting not to award a penalty to France against Senegal despite VAR highlighting a foul on Kylian Mbappé. He also managed the goalless draw between Colombia and Portugal.

The decision to place him behind the refereeing crew for England–Mexico adds extra weight, given his mixed record and the historic atmosphere of the Azteca, where Mexico has previously impressed in World Cup fixtures.

Officials for England vs Mexico

• Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
• Assistant Referees: George Lakrindis and Andrew Lindsay (Australia)
• Fourth official: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
• Reserve Assistant Referee: Zakaria Brinsi (Morocco)
• Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo (Colombia)
• Assistant VAR 1: Juan Lara (Chile)
• Assistant VAR 2: Juan Soto (Venezuela)

Broadcast Details for England vs Mexico

The match will air live on BBC One and can be streamed through BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Coverage begins at midnight, with kick‑off scheduled for 1 pm BST on Monday, 6 July.

With a seasoned official and a high‑profile venue, the game promises to be a defining moment for both sides as they advance through the knockout phase.