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Germany face Ivory Coast this evening at the Toronto Stadium in a crucial Group E fixture at the 2026 World Cup. But who will take charge of this much-anticipated clash?

The Group E encounter between Germany and Ivory Coast is set to kick off tonight at 9 PM British time. The German side arrive full of confidence after a commanding 7-1 victory over Curacao, where Kai Havertz netted twice. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast edged past Ecuador 1-0 thanks to a dramatic 90th-minute winner from Amad Diallo. With both sides having won their opening matches, the top spot in Group E is at stake.

Officiating tonight’s decisive match will be Paraguay’s Juan Gabriel Benitez Mareco. The match is critical for both nations as they seek to secure a place in the knockout stage.

Benitez brings a wealth of experience to the role, having officiated extensively at the international level. The Paraguayan referee took charge of two of Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches in the lead-up to the North American tournament. He will be assisted by his compatriots Eduardo Cardozo and Milcíades Saldivar on the sidelines.

Known for his strict discipline on the pitch, Benitez averages almost five yellow cards per game over his 11-year refereeing career. His firm approach has sometimes drawn criticism, with observers suggesting that he struggles to manage high-intensity contests. Notably, he sent off Enzo Fernandez during Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Colombia in World Cup qualifying.

The 43-year-old referee has never previously officiated at a World Cup, but his record shows he issues a red card approximately once every three matches, highlighting his readiness to enforce the rules decisively.

Germany and Ivory Coast are separated by 23 places in the FIFA World Rankings, adding further intrigue to tonight’s battle for Group E supremacy and a place in the knockout rounds.