2026 World Cup Refereeing Gaffes Draw Attention to Barton’s Missed Spray and El Fassi’s Messi Links

In the 2026 World Cup semi‑final in Atlanta, Spain defeated France 2‑0. Referee Ivan Barton, an El Salvadorian, was criticised after he forgot to bring the vanishing‑spray used to mark free‑kick spots. Former England international Chris Sutton mocked the error, saying, “おいおい、やるべきことは2つだけだろ” ("Come on, there are only two things you should have: the whistle and the spray").

Ahead of the England‑Argentina semi‑final, the British Daily Mail highlighted referee Ismail El Fassi, a Moroccan‑born U.S. official, as Lionel Messi’s “favorite”. The paper warned England’s players to be cautious, noting El Fassi’s history of issuing cards – eight yellows and one red in three World Cup matches – and his previous role as fourth‑official in the 2022 Qatar final.