The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 matchup between Ivory Coast and Norway is one of the most intriguing in the tournament, with a spot in the next round of the knockout phase at stake. With players like Erling Haaland, Amad Diallo and Franck Kessié, the match is likely to be a high-intensity affair, and FIFA has appointed one of its most experienced officials to preside over the game.
The governing body has announced that Venezuelan Jesus Valenzuela will referee the match. He will be accompanied by fellow Venezuelans Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno as assistant referees, making the match a completely Venezuelan on-field team. The appointments were officially made before the Round of 32 fixtures.
Jesús Valenzuela's Refereeing Experience
Over the last decade, Valenzuela has emerged as one of the top referees in South America. The Venezuelan official has since earned his FIFA badge and has officiated over 360 professional matches in domestic and international competitions.
He has officiated in the FIFA World Cup, Copa América, FIFA Club World Cup, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, and CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers and is one of the most experienced officials in the region. He also received the IFFHS World's Best Referee from CONMEBOL in 2021, further elevating his profile in the international game.
Photo by SILVIO AVILA / AFP via Getty Images
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Valenzuela was appointed to referee some of the most significant games in the Round of 16, such as England vs. the United States and France vs. Poland.
In the 2026 World Cup, Venezuela was the referee in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar match.
Full Referee Team for Ivory Coast vs. Norway
The full officiating team for the Ivory Coast vs. Norway Round of 32 match is:
- Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)
- Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (Venezuela)
- Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (Venezuela)
- Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay)
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Eduardo Cardozo (Paraguay)
Norway arrives led by Erling Haaland, while Ivory Coast has impressed throughout the competition with its balanced squad and attacking quality. With knockout football leaving no room for mistakes, maintaining discipline and controlling the game's tempo will be just as important as the football itself.
