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Argentine Referee Facundo Tello Appointed for France-Morocco Quarter-Final, Four Years After World Cup Final Loss

FIFA has assigned Argentine referee Facundo Tello, 44, to oversee the 2026 World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco. The decision has sparked controversy, as Franco-Argentine tensions remain high following the Albiceleste's 2022 final victory.

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Argentine Referee Facundo Tello Appointed for France-Morocco Quarter-Final, Four Years After World Cup Final Loss
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FIFA has appointed Argentine Facundo Tello to referee the 2026 World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco, scheduled for Thursday evening at 22:00 in Boston. The entire refereeing team will be Argentine, a decision that is sure to provoke reactions on both sides.

Facundo Tello, 44, will officiate alongside his compatriots Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade as assistants. Dario Herrera will serve as fourth official, while Cristian Navarro will act as reserve assistant referee.

FIFA’s choice comes in a particular context. Since the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, won by Argentina over France on penalties, relations between the two countries have been marked by persistent rivalry, fueled by several diplomatic and sporting incidents. Entrusting the direction of such a decisive match for the Blues to an Argentine official constitutes a bold decision by the international governing body.

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