An all-Argentine team of officials will preside over France's World Cup quarter final clash with Morocco on Thursday night.
Les Bleus are yet to be tested in this summer's tournament, and breezed through to the knockout stages after comfortably topping Group I in North America.
Sweden were swept aside in the round of 32, and while Paraguay offered staunch resistance on Saturday, a Kylian Mbappe penalty was enough to see France through to the last eight of the World Cup.
With their current trajectory Didier Deschamps' side are on course to once again meet Argentina in the final.
The two teams were the pre-tournaments this summer, and have maintained a fierce rivalry over the last four years since Argentina emerged victorious on penalties when they met in the final in Qatar.
As such, there has been considerable discourse on social media after FIFA announced that an all-Argentine team of officials would be in place for France's clash with Morocco.
Experienced official Facundo Tello has been assigned to the game, with the 44-year-old flanked by four of his countrymen in the officiating team.
Asked about the decision, Deschamps insisted he has full faith in the officials: "We have to deal with it. I trust the referees. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referees."
Who is the Argentine referee for France v Morocco?
Facundo Tello is set to take charge of the World Cup quarter final between France and Morocco this evening.
The 44-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2019 and has already presided over two group stage games at the 2026 World Cup, South Africa's win over South Korea and Canada's draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After initially harbouring ambitions of playing football professional, local reports claim Tello turned his attention to officiating and that he is renowned for his strictness.
Tello made his World Cup debut in Qatar four years ago and was entrusted with a quarter-final between Morocco and Portugal in his maiden appearance.
In that game Morocco claimed a 1-0 victory courtesy of a first-half goal from Youssef En-Nesyri and Tello was forced to prevent tensions boiling over in the closing stages as they looked to become the first African side to reach a World Cup semifinal.
Tello's only sending off at the tournament to date came in that game during stoppage time, as Walid Cheddira was dismissed after picking up a pair of yellow cards in quick succession.
France v Morocco Match Officials
Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade (ARG)
4th Official: Dario Herrera (ARG)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Cristian Navarro (ARG)
Every World Cup game officiated by Facundo Tello
Date | Fixture | Yellow card | Red card |
24/11/2022 – Group Stage | Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon | 3 | 0 |
02/12/2022 – Group Stage | South Korea 2-1 Portugal | 2 | 0 |
10/12/2022 – Quarter Final | Morocco 1-0 Portugal | 3 | 1 |
12/06/2026 – Group Stage | Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5 | 0 |
25/06/2026 – Group Stage | South Africa 1-0 South Korea | 2 | 0 |
