Raphael Claus to referee Spain vs Saudi Arabia at World Cup 2026 Group H clash

Raphael Claus will referee Spain’s World Cup 2026 Group H encounter against Saudi Arabia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, with kick-off set for midday local time (5pm UK time).

The 46-year-old Brazilian has held FIFA status since 2015 and is regarded as one of South America’s leading officials. His most prominent recent assignment came in the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, and he is a regular fixture in the Copa Libertadores, having overseen a semi-final between River Plate and Boca Juniors.

This will be Claus’ first appointment at the 2026 World Cup. He previously refereed two group-stage matches at the 2022 edition in Qatar: England’s 6-2 victory over Iran — a game that included a contentious late penalty — and Morocco’s 2-1 win over Canada.

Assisting Claus on the lines are fellow Brazilians Danilo Manis and Rafael Alves. Colombia’s Andres Rojas takes the fourth official role, with compatriot Alexander Guzman serving as the reserve official.

VAR will be led by another Colombian, Nicolas Gallo. Mexico’s Erick Miranda acts as assistant VAR, responsible for helping make decisions, while compatriot Guillermo Pacheco serves as support VAR — a role focused on coordinating communication and monitoring the live feed during checks.

The match carries significant weight in a tightly contested group. Both Spain and Saudi Arabia head into the fixture on one point, following Spain’s goalless draw with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia’s 1-1 stalemate against Uruguay. A win for either side would represent a major stride toward securing a place in the final 32.