FIFA has appointed Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera to oversee Egypt’s round-of-32 match against Australia at the 2026 World Cup.
The knockout fixture, scheduled for Friday, forms part of the tournament being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Egypt aiming to continue its historic World Cup campaign after progressing beyond the group stage.
Tejera will lead an officiating team comprising fellow Uruguayans Carlos Barrero and Nicolas Taran as assistant referees. Switzerland’s Sandro Scherer has been named fourth official, while Stefan de Almeida will serve as reserve fourth official.
The appointment places one of Uruguay’s most experienced referees in charge of a match that will determine which nation advances to the round of 16.
One of Uruguay’s leading referees
At 38 years of age, Tejera has established himself as one of Uruguay’s most prominent match officials in recent years.
He received his FIFA international badge in 2018 and has since been selected to officiate a wide range of domestic and continental fixtures across South America.
His growing reputation has earned him appointments in major competitions, including the current World Cup.
Earlier in the tournament, Tejera took charge of the group-stage match between Mexico and South Korea.
His selection for another World Cup fixture reflects the confidence FIFA continues to place in the Uruguayan official during the competition.
Experience across several major competitions
Beyond the World Cup, Tejera has accumulated extensive experience in continental football.
He has officiated four matches in this season’s Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club competition.
His refereeing assignments have also extended beyond the continent.
Among his recent international appointments was a Saudi Pro League fixture between Al-Hilal and Al-Akhdoud, further demonstrating his growing profile on the global stage.
Tejera also officiated at the most recent Under-20 World Cup held in Chile.
During that tournament, he was appointed to oversee the matches between Morocco and Spain, Morocco and France, as well as Saudi Arabia’s meeting with Norway.
Those assignments added to his experience of handling high-profile international contests involving teams from different confederations.
High-profile finals on his record
Tejera’s career also includes appointments to important domestic and continental finals.
This year, he officiated the Copa Sudamericana final between Brazil’s Flamengo and Argentina’s Lanús.
Earlier in his career, he also took charge of the Uruguayan Super Cup in 2020.
Those appointments underline the trust placed in him to manage matches played under significant pressure.
Despite his growing international résumé, Friday’s encounter will mark the first occasion on which he has refereed either the Egyptian national team or an Egyptian club in any competition.
Egypt and Australia meet after impressive group campaigns
Egypt secured qualification for the World Cup knockout stage by finishing second in Group G with five points, ending level with Belgium but behind on goal difference.
Australia also progressed as runners-up, finishing second in Group D behind the United States.
Their respective group-stage performances have set up a meeting between two teams seeking to extend their World Cup journeys.
For Egypt, the match offers another opportunity to continue a memorable tournament after reaching the knockout rounds, while Australia will attempt to halt the Pharaohs’ progress.
With Gustavo Tejera and his officiating team entrusted with managing the contest, attention will now turn to Friday’s decisive encounter as both nations compete for a place in the round of 16.
