Who will be the referee for the Switzerland-Algeria 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match?

Switzerland and Algeria meet in a closely matched FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match on Thursday at BC Place, Vancouver.

Switzerland go into the match on the back of an unbeaten run, with two wins and a draw, while the team comfortably topped Group B.

Algeria, on the other hand, secured a hard-fought point in a pulsating 3-3 draw against Austria on the final matchday of the group stage and qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.

The winner of this match will face the winner of the meeting between Colombia and Ghana in the round of 16.

Who is the referee for the Switzerland-Algeria 2026 World Cup match?:

Argentinian Yael Falcon Perez will officiate the round of 16 between Switzerland and Algeria.

The 38-year-old will referee his third match at the World Cup, having officiated previous encounters in Groups A and F. Perez made headlines in 2025 during an Argentine Primera Division match when the match was suspended after his assistant referee was hit by an object from the crowd. He also serves as a physical education teacher and a lifeguard off the football field.

Perez also played in the Copa Libertadores, Saudi Pro League, UEFA Under-19 Euro, U-20 World Cup, Copa America and the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Argentine has handed out 1,457 yellow cards and 39 red cards in 283 matches, for an average of 5.1 warnings and 0.14 dismissals per match.

Full list of match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Switzerland and Algeria:

• Center referee: Yael Falcón Pérez (Argentina)
• Assistant Referee 1: Maximiliano Del Yesso (Argentina)
• Assistant Referee 2: Facundo Rodríguez (Argentina)
• Fourth official: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
• Reserve assistant referee: Michael Orue (Peru)

Published on July 3, 2026