FIFA World Cup 2026: Who is Alireza Faghani, France vs Senegal referee? Complete list of officials, VAR

France begins its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Senegal in a Group I match at the New York New Jersey Stadium on June 16.

Australian referee Alireza Faghani will be the main official of the match and will be assisted by his compatriots George Lakrindis and James Lindsay.

Who is Alireza Faghani and what is his refereeing record?

Alireza Faghani is an Australian referee born in Kashmar, Iran. The 48-year-old lives in Sydney and has been on the FIFA list since 2008.

Faghani is one of the most experienced officials at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He previously refereed at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and was also in charge of the men’s football final at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was appointed as referee for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at the MetLife Stadium.

Faghani has shown 1,589 yellow cards and 37 red cards in 439 matches, with an average of 3.62 yellow cards per match. Transfermarkt reports that he officiated 22 matches in the 2025/26 season, handing out 86 yellow cards, one second yellow-red card and four penalties.

Full list of officials for the match between France and Senegal on June 16:

• Chief Referee: Alireza Faghani, Australia

• Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis, Australia

• Assistant Referee 2: James Lindsay, Australia

• Fourth official: Sandro Schärer, Switzerland

• VAR: Abdullah Al-Shehri, Saudi Arabia

Published on June 16, 2026