World Cup 2026: FIFA appoints Australian referee Alireza Faghani to officiate Senegal’s opener against France

FIFA has appointed experienced Australian referee Alireza Faghani to take charge of Senegal’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against France.

The highly anticipated Group I encounter is scheduled to take place on June 16 at the MetLife Stadium. The fixture will mark the beginning of the Teranga Lions’ campaign at the global showpiece, which officially got underway on June 11 across North America.

Faghani, one of the most respected officials in international football, has been entrusted with overseeing the clash between the African giants and the former world champions. Known for his calm authority and extensive experience at major tournaments, the Australian referee will be responsible for all key decisions during the match.

He will be assisted by fellow Australians George Lakrindis and Andrew Lindsay, who have been appointed as assistant referees for the encounter. The trio forms an experienced officiating team as FIFA continues to deploy some of its top referees for the tournament’s opening fixtures.

The appointment comes ahead of what is expected to be one of the standout matches of the first round of group-stage games. Senegal will be eager to make a strong start to their World Cup campaign, while France will be aiming to underline their status as one of the favourites for the title.

The Lions of Teranga head into the contest carrying the hopes of a continent and will look to secure a positive result against a French side packed with world-class talent.

With both teams determined to begin their World Cup journey on a winning note, all eyes will be on MetLife Stadium as Faghani and his officiating team oversee a potentially decisive opening battle in Group I. Senegal are paired  alongside France, Norway and Iraq.