Drew Fischer to Referee Argentina vs Cape Verde Knockout Clash

FIFA has officially announced the match officials for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde. The high-stakes knockout match is scheduled to take place on July 3, 2026, at the Miami Stadium, with kick-off set for 18:00 ET.

Argentina vs Cape Verde Match Officials:

• Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)

• Assistant Referee 1: Micheal Barwegen (Canada)

• Assistant Referee 2: Lyes Arfa (Canada)

• Fourth Official: Katia Itzel García (Mexico)

• Reserve Assistant Referee: Sandra Ramírez (Mexico)

The central referee for the match, Canadian official Drew Fischer, is widely recognized as an award-winning referee known for his composed officiating style and extensive international experience. Across his career of more than 300 matches, Fischer has maintained an average of approximately 3.35 yellow cards and 0.11 red cards per game, issuing roughly 1,072 yellow cards and 37 red cards in total.

While Fischer has not been involved in any major refereeing controversies, he has faced standard match-day criticisms during high-stakes Major League Soccer (MLS) fixtures. Fans and players have occasionally expressed frustration over inconsistent foul calls, over-penalizing minor contact, and missing key plays during critical moments.