FIFA announced Thursday the name of the referee for the quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place on Sunday at 3 a.m. in Kansas City, between Argentina and Switzerland. It will be Joao Pinheiro (38 years old). The Portuguese’s designation provoked several amusing reactions on social networks. “Infantino joining forces with Ronaldo to stop Messi, we really will have seen everything,” joked a user.
Without falling into these conspiracy theories in any way, the choice of the Lusitanian official is sparking debate in Argentina. And this, for two specific reasons. First of all, because Joao Pinheiro has already refereed Switzerland in this World Cup. It was June 18 in Los Angeles during the Swiss victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina (4-1) in the group stage.
During this meeting, he handed out a red card to Bosnia and whistled a penalty in favor of the Swiss team. Nothing to get into controversy. “He delivered a remarkable performance,” writes The Nation.
On the other hand, another factor is of greater concern in Argentina. Joao Pinheiro’s performance during the Champions League semi-final return leg between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain (1-1) last May.
A forgotten penalty in the Champions League?
The Portuguese did not award a penalty to the Germans for a potential handball by his compatriot Joao Neves in the penalty area. This decision created controversy at the time and all the Argentine media did not hesitate to use it to make headlines in the run-up to the duel against Switzerland.
Everything should be fine in Kansas City. Joao Pinheiro is experienced and he is described as a referee “who does not hesitate to make important decisions, who controls his matches and who lets the game unfold for the good rhythm of the match”, by Archivo Varthe Spanish media specializing in arbitration.
