Uruguayan card-happy Tejera to referee Australia vs Egypt at World Cup 2026

Gustavo Tejera will referee Australia vs Egypt in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32, with the winner advancing to face either Argentina or Cape Verde in the last 16.

The 38-year-old Uruguayan, who works as an insurance broker in his day job, brings considerable international experience to the role. Tejera has officiated in the Saudi Pro League, the Copa America, and CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, and arrives at this fixture having already taken charge of Mexico vs South Korea earlier in the tournament.

Tejera has built a reputation as a strict disciplinarian over his career, having issued 1,733 yellow cards to date — an average of just over five per match. He was notably more restrained in his first outing at this World Cup, however, showing only two yellows in the Mexico vs South Korea fixture.

Fellow Uruguayans Carlos Barreiro and Nicolas Taran will serve as assistant referees on the touchlines. Swiss officials Sandro Scharer and Stephane De Almeida complete the team as fourth official and reserve assistant referee respectively.

Both sides arrive at the fixture with something to prove. Australia have reached the Round of 16 twice in their World Cup history and will be hoping to match or better that mark. Egypt, meanwhile, claimed their first ever World Cup victory this tournament with a 3-1 win over New Zealand, and will be looking to build on that historic result.

The winner of this match will face either Argentina or Cape Verde in the Round of 16, with a potential quarter-final meeting against Switzerland, Colombia, or Ghana to follow.