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The Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings together defending champions Argentina and the tournament’s biggest surprise, Cabo Verde, in one of the knockout stage’s most intriguing fixtures.
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With Lionel Messi continuing his pursuit of another World Cup title and Cabo Verde looking to extend their historic debut campaign, the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises a compelling encounter between two contrasting sides looking for a place in the Round of 16.
Argentina topped their group with a perfect record, while Cabo Verde reached the knockout stage in their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance after an impressive unbeaten group-stage campaign.
Referee & VAR Officials for Argentina vs. Cabo Verde
FIFA has officially appointed Canadian referee Drew Fischer to handle this knockout match.
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Fischer became a FIFA-listed referee in 2015 and has since officiated high-profile matches across CONCACAF competitions, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup, CONCACAF Nations League, Major League Soccer, and Leagues Cup.
Fischer, who mainly referees in Major League Soccer , officiated the France vs. Iraq Group Stage match earlier in the tournament, which ended in a 3-0 victory for France. He also took charge of Croatia’s win over Ghana, a result that secured Croatia’s place in the knockout stage.
Beyond serving as the main pitch referee, Fischer is considered one of CONCACAF’s most trusted officials, regularly handling major international fixtures involving some of the region’s biggest teams.
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- Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)
- Assistant Referee 1: Michael Barwegen (Canada)
- Assistant Referee 2: Lyes Arfa (Canada)
- Fourth Official: Katia García (Mexico)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Sandra Ramírez (Mexico)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Armando Villarreal (USA)
- Assistant VAR (AVAR): Ivan Bebek (Croatia)
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This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 2:54 PM.