England are facing a daunting challenge away in Mexico in the World Cup last 16.
The Three Lions are heading for the famous Estadio Azteca to meet the World Cup co-hosts in what looks a difficult task for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
While they should surely be considered favourites, there are genuine concerns over the altitude at which the game will be played, amid the chaos of almost moving kick-off times.
Quite whether they will be enough to stop England from winning remains to be seen but it’s clear that Mexico do have something of an advantage going into the game.
Now, the referee has been confirmed.
Alireza Faghani to referee Mexico vs England
There’s little doubt that the atmosphere inside the Azteca will be intense. Thousands of Mexico fans will be there, while the official allocation for England supporters is thought to be around 3,000.
Again, that does not necessarily mean England will lose, just that they are clearly entering the lion’s den.
FIFA have confirmed that Australian referee Alireza Faghani will oversee proceedings.
The 48-year-old is a highly respected match official, one who refereed at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups in Brazil and Russia respectively.
Back in June, BBC Sport suggested that Faghani was the best referee in the world.
He was involved in a relatively high profile incident during the group stages, too.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
During France’s win over Senegal in New Jersey, he was sent to the VAR monitor to look at a challenge from Sadio Mane on Kylian Mbappe in the box.
Many suggested it should have been a penalty and Faghani initially appeared to have awarded one after looking at the screen on the side of the pitch.
However, he was in fact pointing for a Senegal goal kick, with the referee then saying that Mbappe had actually initiated the contact.
That decision was criticised by leading pundits in the UK, who believe Mbappe should have been awarded a penalty.
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