Portugal and Spain renew one of international football's fiercest rivalries in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.
FIFA has appointed one of Europe's most polarizing officials to oversee this July 6 knockout game at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium).
The match will be officiated by English referee Anthony Taylor, who is taking charge of his third game of the tournament after previously handling Uzbekistan vs. Colombia and Senegal vs. Iraq during the group stage.
Taylor also has recent history with both Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Who Is Anthony Taylor? Referee for Portugal vs. Spain
Born on October 20, 1978, in Manchester, England, the 47-year-old has been a FIFA-listed international referee since 2013. Before becoming a full-time official, he worked as a prison officer at HMP Styal in Cheshire, England.
Taylor is considered an elite but deeply polarizing referee known for making decisions that have frequently been at the center of football's biggest controversies. Fans frequently call Anthony Taylor the most biased and frustrating referee in modern football.
Taylor has become one of Europe's most experienced referees over the past decade. A Premier League referee since 2010 and a FIFA international official since 2013, he has officiated some of football's biggest matches, including the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, the 2021 UEFA Nations League Final, and the 2023 UEFA Europa League Final.
He also became the first referee in the modern era to oversee two FA Cup Finals, taking charge of the 2017 and 2020 games.
Anthony Taylor's Career Controversies
- Euro 2024 Germany vs. Spain: Taylor's decision not to award Germany a late penalty after Marc Cucurella's handball became one of the tournament's most debated moments. UEFA's Referees Committee later admitted that the decision not to award Germany a penalty was an error.
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2023 UEFA Europa League Final: Following Sevilla's victory over Roma, Taylor faced intense criticism from José Mourinho over several decisions. He was later harassed by supporters at Budapest Airport after the match. UEFA ended up banning Mourinho 4 matches and fining Roma $55,000.
- Chelsea controversies: Taylor has repeatedly drawn criticism from Chelsea fans over several big decisions, including controversial dismissals and penalty incidents, which led to a fan petition calling for him to be removed from Chelsea fixtures.
Anthony Taylor's History With Cristiano Ronaldo
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Anthony Taylor's appointment for Portugal vs. Spain has generated plenty of discussion among fans due to his history with Cristiano Ronaldo.
As of July 2026, the verified date says English referee has overseen 8 official matches featuring Ronaldo. Many of those matches came during Ronaldo's second spell at Manchester United and his appearances for Portugal. The numbers favor the Portuguese superstar:
- Matches officiated: 8
- Ronaldo's record: 5 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats
- Goals scored by Ronaldo: 5
Taylor refereed Portugal's 2-1 defeat to Ukraine in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers, a match in which Ronaldo scored, as well as Portugal's 4-2 loss to Germany at UEFA Euro 2020, the only two defeats Ronaldo has suffered in a match officiated by the English referee.
Many fans were surprised when FIFA selected Taylor for this match. Reacting to the appointment on X, one fan asked: "Is Anthony Taylor the most controversial referee in football?" Another wrote: "I know he's definitely going to make a controversial decision in that game."
Taylor's performance will surely be under intense scrutiny.
Taylor's Refereeing Style and Disciplinary Profile
Taylor is known for allowing matches to flow and maintaining a high threshold for physical contact. He prefers strong communication and man-management over frequent whistles, but is quick to issue cards if a match begins to boil over.
- Average yellow cards: around 3.58 per match
- Average red cards: around 0.10 per match
Full Referee Team for Portugal vs. Spain
- Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
- Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick (England)
- Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn (England)
- Fourth Official: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Robert Kempter (Germany)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Bastian Dankert (Germany)
