England and DR Congo will compete for a spot in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, and FIFA has announced a veteran panel of referees for the Round of 32 matchup.
The governing body has chosen one of South America's most respected referees to call the knockout game on July 1, which will be one of the biggest of the tournament.
The officials will have to deal with what is expected to be a tight World Cup battle between England and a spirited DR Congo team as they seek to keep the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka in check.
Who Is Adham Makhadmeh? Referee for England vs. DR Congo
FIFA has appointed Jordanian official Adham Makhadmeh to referee the Round of 32 clash between England and DR Congo.
The experienced referee has been on FIFA's international list for more than a decade and has officiated numerous AFC competitions, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and major international tournaments.
Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
Makhadmeh has earned a reputation for his calm approach and ability to manage high-pressure matches, making him a trusted choice for one of the World Cup's biggest knockout fixtures.
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Full Referee Team for England vs. DR Congo
FIFA has confirmed the complete officiating crew for the July 1 match:
- Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
- Assistant Referee 1: Mohammad Alkalaf (Jordan)
- Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Alroalle (Jordan)
- Fourth Official: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Mohammed Alabakry (Saudi Arabia)
The all-Middle Eastern officiating crew has worked together on several international fixtures and brings extensive experience to the knockout stage.
England will be aiming to avoid an upset as it chases another deep World Cup run, while DR Congo is preparing for the biggest knockout match in the nation's history. With emotions expected to run high throughout the contest, Makhadmeh and his team will be responsible for keeping the game under control.
As the stakes rise in the knockout rounds, every decision becomes magnified, making the performance of the match officials just as important as the players battling for a place in the quarterfinals.
