Injured referee Oliver to miss World Cup match

Michael Oliver officiated three matches during the 2022 World Cup

Published 13 June 2026

English referee Michael Oliver has been sidelined from his opening fixture at the 2026 World Cup due to an injury.

The 41-year-old, originally scheduled to oversee the Group E clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Philadelphia on Sunday (00:00 BST, Monday), has been replaced by French official Francois Letexier.

Fifa has stated that Oliver is expected to be fit for selection "in the coming days".

Oliver is one of six English on-field referees at the World Cup, with Anthony Taylor also included among the 52 officials.

Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn, Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring were chosen as assistant referees.

Oliver has been a Premier League referee since 2010 and earned a place on Uefa's elite referee list in 2018.

He oversaw games at the 2022 World Cup, including the quarter-final between Croatia and Brazil, as well as Euro 2024.

A total of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials are taking part in the World Cup across the US, Canada and Mexico.