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The Group F opener between the Netherlands and Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a fascinating contest, but many fans are curious — who will be in charge of officiating this crucial match?

The match will take place at the AT&T Stadium, with the Netherlands entering as favourites based on FIFA rankings. However, Japan’s team, filled with several players plying their trade in Europe, is expected to provide a strong challenge and make this encounter an exciting spectacle.

Leading the officiating team will be Moroccan-born American referee Ismail Elfath. Having begun his refereeing career in Major League Soccer (MLS) over 15 years ago, Elfath has twice been named the MLS Referee of the Year in the past six seasons, earning a strong reputation for his consistency and command on the field.

Elfath’s international experience is extensive. He officiated during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including Japan’s Round of 16 match against Croatia. He also served as the fourth official for the dramatic final between Argentina and France, adding to his credentials on football’s biggest stage.

Supporting Elfath on the sidelines will be his fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, both serving as assistant referees. Their familiarity with Elfath’s style and teamwork, honed through years in the MLS, is expected to ensure smooth coordination throughout the game.

Mexican referee Katia Itzel Garcia will handle the role of fourth official, overseeing the technical areas and managing the dugouts. Garcia is a respected official in Liga MX and has also officiated numerous international fixtures in the women’s game. Another Mexican official, Sandra Ramirez, will serve as the reserve assistant referee for this match.

In the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth, American official Armando Villarreal will lead the operation. Villarreal, who also officiates in the MLS, was part of the VAR team during both the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Women’s World Cup, bringing significant experience to the technological side of officiating.

He will be assisted by Brazilian Rodolpho Toski, a top-flight referee from Brazil’s Serie A who has been on the FIFA list since 2017. The VAR team is completed by Polish official Tomasz Kwiatkowski, ensuring a diverse and highly experienced group monitoring the action from behind the screens.

With such an accomplished officiating team in place, the Netherlands vs Japan showdown at the 2026 World Cup is set to be managed with precision and fairness, promising fans a high-quality match both on and off the pitch.