Pierre Atcho to referee Croatia vs Panama as both sides seek first World Cup 2026 points

Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho will officiate Croatia vs Panama at Toronto Stadium, with both nations desperate for their first points in Group L at the 2026 World Cup. The match kicks off at midnight British time, following England and Ghana’s 0-0 stalemate earlier in the evening.

Croatia arrive having lost 4-2 to England in a rematch of their 2018 semi-final, while Panama were beaten 1-0 by Ghana in their opening fixture. With England and Ghana level on one point each, the Group L standings remain wide open ahead of this second round of fixtures.

Atcho will be assisted by fellow Gabonese officials Boris Ditsoga and Amos Abeigne Ndong. Egypt’s Amin Mohamed serves as fourth official, with Australia’s Jarred Gillett taking responsibility for VAR.

The 33-year-old brings considerable experience at the highest level of international football, particularly on the African continent. At the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, Atcho refereed the Senegal vs Egypt semi-final — which Senegal won 1-0 — and Egypt’s 3-1 victory over Benin. Across that tournament, he averaged over 4.5 bookings per game and produced a penalty or red card every 2.5 matches, suggesting a willingness to intervene decisively.

Atcho has also already featured at this World Cup, overseeing Norway’s 4-1 victory over Iraq — a match that included an Erling Haaland brace — demonstrating his readiness for the tournament’s biggest occasions.

For Luka Modric’s Croatia, the game represents an opportunity to recover quickly from a heavy defeat and keep their knockout-stage hopes alive. Panama, meanwhile, are searching for their first-ever World Cup victory and will need to improve significantly on their opening-match showing against Ghana.