Polish match official Tomasz Kwiatkowski has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the upcoming World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. While FIFA continues to manage referee assignments for the tournament’s final stages, the role places a Polish official at the center of one of the competition’s most high-stakes matches.
Tomasz Kwiatkowski’s Role in the France vs. Spain Semi-Final
FIFA confirmed the officiating team for the France-Spain semi-final on Monday. The match will be led by referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador, supported by assistant referees David Moran and Antonio Pupiro. Swedish official Glenn Nyberg will serve as the technical referee.
Tomasz Kwiatkowski has been selected to lead the VAR operations. He will be assisted in the VAR booth by Dennis Johan Higler and Guillermo Pacheco. This appointment marks a significant responsibility for the Polish official, who previously served on the officiating team during the World Cup final four years ago, where Argentina defeated France on penalties.
Did you know?
Tomasz Kwiatkowski’s involvement in the VAR booth for this tournament follows his experience at the World Cup four years ago, where he was part of the officiating crew for the tournament final.
Szymon Marciniak and the Path to the Final
While Kwiatkowski takes on duties in the semi-final, attention remains on Polish referee Szymon Marciniak. Marciniak, who officiated the World Cup final four years ago, has handled two group-stage matches in the current tournament. Despite limited assignments in the knockout rounds thus far, speculation persists regarding his potential selection for the final.
According to Michał Listkiewicz, a former international referee and former president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), the probability of Marciniak officiating the tournament final is relatively low. However, should he be chosen, he would achieve a historic milestone. No referee has presided over two World Cup finals.
Evolution of Officiating Standards
Pro Tip:
When watching the semi-finals, pay close attention to the VAR checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the VAR for the France vs. Spain semi-final?
Tomasz Kwiatkowski from Poland is the lead VAR official for the France vs. Spain semi-final match.
Has a referee ever officiated two World Cup finals?
No. To date, no referee has ever officiated two separate World Cup final matches, a record that Szymon Marciniak would set if selected for the current tournament’s final.
What is the role of the VAR team in the semi-finals?
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