Who is the referee for Brazil vs Norway in the World Cup round of 16?

Ismail Elfath takes no nonsense
The officials are confirmed for Brazil vs Norway (Image credit: Getty Images)

Brazil and Norway will do battle for a place in the World Cup quarter finals on Sunday.

The Selecao topped their group before surviving a scare against Japan in the round of 32, coming from behind to claim a 2-1 win and put themselves into this round of the competition.

Norway meanwhile finished as runners-up to France after making ten changes to face Les Bleus in their final group game, then getting back down to business with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast last time out.

Officials confirmed for Brazil vs Norway

Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 against Scotland

Vinicus Jr will be hoping to extend his good run of form at the World Cup (Image credit: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)

The game is set to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just across the bridge from New York City.

Kick-off sit set for 4pm local time (9pm UK time), with ITV holding the UK broadcast rights for the game.

Ismail Elfath plies his trade in MLS

This is Ismail Elfath's third game of the tournament (Image credit: Getty Images)

The man in the middle of it all will be Ismail Elfath, who will take charge of his third game of the tournament on adopted home turf.

Born and raised in Morocco, Elfath moved to America aged 18 and is a US citizen. He has spent his entire refereeing career in the United States.

Elfath achieved the highest honour a referee can attain when he was selected to referee the last World Cup final between Argentina and France in 2022.

This is his third game of the competition after previously refereeing the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Japan and the somewhat bad-tempered clash between Uruguay and Spain.

Elfath showed Agustin Canobbio a straight red card for a high tackle in injury time and withstood the Uruguay forward's furious protestations in a stern and dignified mannaer

US referee Ismail Elfath shows a red card to Uruguay forward Agustin Canobbio

Ismail Elfath oversaw a bad-tempered game between Uruguay and Spain (Image credit: Getty Images)

Assisting Elfath are two more Americans, Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, who will run the lines for him.

Costa Rican duo Juan Gabriel Calderon and Juan Carlos Mora are the fourth official and reserve assistant referee, respectively.

Taking charge of VAR is Nicaragua's Tatiana Guzman, who will be assisted by American Armando Villarreal and Qatari Khamis Al-Marri.

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

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