Szymon Marciniak eyes 2026 World Cup final amid referee speculation

FIFA rules that prohibit referees from officiating matches involving their own country have sidelined England’s Michael Oliver, opening a path for Polish referee Szymon Marciniak to potentially oversee the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Media outlets note that Marciniak, who has so far refereed two group‑stage games, is now the leading European candidate.

Experts also point to several non‑European options. Jordanian Adham Makhadmeh is widely cited as the favourite, while Australian Alireza Faghani and Moroccan Jalal Jayed are mentioned as alternatives. Former internationals such as Marcin Borski and Rafał Rostkowski have commented on the political and performance factors influencing the selection.

The final, scheduled for 19 July at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, pits the 2010 champions Spain against the 2022 winners Argentina. Betting markets currently favor Spain, though odds are close. The match is also being marketed around the star duel of Lionel Messi and young Spanish talent Lamine Yamal, whose childhood photo with Messi resurfaced.

In related officiating news, VAR Tomasz Kwiatkowski was assigned to the Spain‑France semifinal, underscoring the high‑profile nature of the tournament’s officiating crew.