As the quarter-final match between France and Morocco approaches, a palpable tension has emerged among the supporters of the two teams, particularly in light of the referee selection. Fans of the Argentine national team, known as the Albiceleste, expressed their discontent when French referee François Letexier was appointed to officiate their team's Round of 16 match against Egypt. However, now the supporters of Les Bleus are beginning to empathize with their rivals. In a twist of irony, FIFA announced on July 7 that Argentine referee Facundo Tello will take on the role of main official for the upcoming clash between France and Morocco, a decision that many French fans perceive as provocative given the historical rivalry that has developed between the two nations since the dramatic final of the 2022 World Cup, which France lost to Argentina.
In response to the news, French defender Dayot Upamecano downplayed the significance of the referee's nationality, stating, "I don't focus on who the referee is. I've never done that. We want to win this match; that's all that matters to us." Similarly, Robin Risser, the third-choice goalkeeper for France, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that they should not fall into paranoia regarding the referee's background. He remarked, "If these referees are here, it’s because they are capable at this level of competition. We need to concentrate on what we can control to advance to the next round."
Facundo Tello: A Referee with a Colorful Track Record
Facundo Tello, hailing from Bahía Blanca in Buenos Aires Province, boasts an impressive refereeing resume, having officiated 434 matches to date. Notably, he is known for his willingness to issue cards, having handed out an astonishing 2,032 yellow cards and 75 red cards throughout his career. Tello gained notoriety in 2022 during the Argentine Champions Trophy, where he issued a record 10 red cards in a single match between Racing Club and Boca Juniors, including seven in a chaotic brawl that erupted at the end of the game. This experience has not only solidified his reputation in Argentine football but has also prepared him for high-stakes international matches.
In addition to his domestic achievements, Tello has also officiated at the international level, including the final of the Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the UEFA Champions League. He is currently participating in his second World Cup, having previously refereed three matches during the 2022 tournament, including a memorable quarter-final between Morocco and Portugal, which Morocco won 1-0. This victory left a lasting impression on Moroccan supporters, who will now face Tello again as they go head-to-head with the French team. Conversely, Portuguese fans were left disgruntled following their elimination, criticizing the decision to appoint an Argentine referee for that match, while Argentina remained in contention in the tournament.
A Unique Challenge for Tello
In the ongoing 2026 World Cup, Tello has already officiated two group stage matches: Canada versus Bosnia-Herzegovina, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and South Africa versus South Korea, resulting in a 1-0 victory for the former. Interestingly, this upcoming match against France will mark the first time the French team will encounter Tello in an international setting, as they have never crossed paths before. It is worth noting that Tello almost missed this opportunity; while officiating a qualification playoff match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Jamaica in March, he sustained an injury that forced him to leave the field. Fortunately, medical examinations revealed no serious damage, allowing him to continue his officiating duties. Now, Tello stands at the center of a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown between France and Morocco, a match that promises to be a thrilling contest.
As reported by france24.com.
