English Referee Michael Oliver to Miss World Cup Match Due to Injury
English referee Michael Oliver, 41, has been ruled out of a 2026 World Cup Group E fixture between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Philadelphia. He sustained an injury and will be replaced by Frenchman Francois Letexier for the match scheduled for Sunday. FIFA anticipates Oliver will be available for selection "in the coming days."
English referee Michael Oliver, 41, has been ruled out of an upcoming Group E match at the 2026 World Cup due to an injury. The fixture, scheduled for Sunday in Philadelphia, would have seen him officiate the game between Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Frenchman Francois Letexier will step in as Oliver's replacement. The game is set for Sunday, corresponding to 00:00 BST on Monday. FIFA has stated that Oliver is expected to be available for selection "in the coming days."
Oliver has a notable officiating career, having been part of the Premier League since 2010 and promoted to UEFA's elite list of referees in 2018. His previous international assignments include the 2022 World Cup, where he refereed three matches, including the quarter-final between Croatia and Brazil, and Euro 2024.
He is one of six English on-field officials participating in the World Cup. Anthony Taylor is also among the 52 referees, while Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn, Stuart Burt, and James Mainwaring serve as assistant referees. The tournament, hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, involves a total of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials.
(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)
