The Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the knockout stage as Portugal faces off against Croatia.
With stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić sharing the field in what could be their final FIFA World Cup campaigns, fans are eager to see who comes out on top, with the winner advancing to the Round of 16, where reigning European champion Spain awaits.
Spain beat Croatia 3-0 in their match to book a spot in the Round of 16.
Referee & VAR Officials for Portugal vs. Croatia
FIFA has officially appointed Norwegian referee Espen Eskås to handle the whistle for this crucial knockout match. Eskås is regarded as one of Europe’s rising elite match officials.
He became a FIFA-listed referee in 2017 and has since officiated high-progile matches across UEFA competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Nations League.
Eskås primarily referees domestically in Eliteserien, the highest tier of professional club football in Norway.
Earlier in the tournament, he officiated the Uruguay vs. Cape Verde Group H match which ended in a 2–2 draw at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Beyond serving as the main pitch referee, he was also appointed as the Fourth Official during the group stage for Brazil's 3–0 victory over Scotland
Eskås is known for his calm demeanor on the pitch, preferring to let the game flow while maintaining authority when challenges intensify.
- Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)
- Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan (Norway)
- Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Bashevkin (Norway)
- Fourth Official: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Christian Dingert (Germany)
- Assistant VAR: Pol van Boekel (Netherlands)
