Ivan Barton confirmed as referee for Spain vs France World Cup semi-final, dividing fans

FIFA has confirmed Ivan Barton as the referee for the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France in Dallas on Tuesday, with the appointment splitting opinion sharply among supporters online.

The 35-year-old from El Salvador has taken charge of three matches at this World Cup, including two group-stage games and the last-16 tie between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, which was settled by a penalty shootout.

Barton first attracted significant attention during the group-stage match between Paraguay and Türkiye in San Francisco, where he issued two yellow cards and one red. The red card was shown to Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron — the former Newcastle United midfielder — after he covered his mouth while speaking to an opponent, a decision that became a talking point among pundits.

Ex-Premier League striker Jobi McAnuff quipped: “I think he was trying to get the man of the match award,” while former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata added: “You get the feeling that he loves being in that position. If he was carrying a GPS, then he would reach high speed because he was running everywhere.”

The semi-final appointment has drawn a polarised reaction on social media. Several fans welcomed the news enthusiastically. “Spain-France World Cup semi-final refereed by Ivan Barton will be pure cinema,” wrote one, while another declared: “I’m being 100% serious that the addition of Ivan Barton moves Spain vs. France from a must-watch World Cup semifinal to the most important televised event of the century.” A third added: “For once, hats off to you, FIFA. Gonna be magical.”

Others were considerably less convinced. “How in the world has Ivan Barton achieved a World Cup semi-final,” one fan wrote, with another warning that “someone is definitely getting sent off.”

Spain reached the last four by beating Belgium in their quarter-final, while France defeated Morocco 2-0. The winner of Tuesday’s fixture in Dallas will advance to Sunday’s final in New Jersey. The other semi-final sees England face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.