FIFA’s Referees Committee has appointed renowned Polish referee Szymon Marciniak to officiate the upcoming match between Egypt and Iran in the final round of the 2026 World Cup group stage.
The Egyptian national team currently leads their group with 4 points, following a draw against Belgium and a victory over New Zealand. On the other hand, the Persian side holds 2 points from draws in their opening two fixtures.
Marciniak, famously known for officiating the iconic 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, will be the main referee for this Pharaohs-Persians showdown. He will be assisted by his compatriots Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Yusuke Araki will serve as the fourth official, with fellow countryman Jun Mihara appointed as the reserve assistant referee.
Marciniak’s Second 2026 World Cup Assignment
This fixture marks Marciniak’s second match in the current tournament, having previously overseen Argentina’s dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in the opening round.
Historically, the 45-year-old Polish official has never refereed a competitive international match involving either Egypt or Iran. However, he is a familiar face to Egyptian football fans, having traveled to Egypt multiple times to officiate the fierce Cairo Derby between local giants Al Ahly and Zamalek.
