Who is the referee for Canada vs Qatar?

Cyle Larin celebrating after scoring for Canada against Bosnia, with his fingers against his ears and his team-mates running behind him. — Cyle Larin scored Canada's first goal of the 2026 World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

Canada are set to take to the field this evening against Qatar in the second of their group matches of World Cup 2026.

The co-hosts are heavy favourites to win the game and are in with a great chance of getting out of the group stages if they claim three points.

The match will be overseen by Chilean referee Christian Garay, a man with a lot of experience and a slightly controversial past.

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Canada manager Jesse Marsch during the international friendly match between Wales and Canada at Swansea.com Stadium — Canada manager Jesse Marsch is hoping his team can make it to the knockout stages of the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

First Chilean referee at a World Cup for 12 years

Garay's appointment makes him the first Chilean referee to take charge of a World Cup match since Enrique Osses at Brazil in 2014.

He has plenty of experience, refereeing high profile matches in the Copa America, the Copa Libertadores and World Cup qualifiers.

General view of BC Place stadium from the northwest corner fourth level before the start of the MLS match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Sporting Kansas City — Canada will play Qatar in Vancouver (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, his work hasn't always been appreciated, with Argentine international referee Javier Castrilli requesting he be dismissed from Chilean Liga de Primera games in 2025, after Everton Vina del Mar manager accused him of making unfair decisions against his side.

Earlier this year, Garay was criticised for his decision to retract a penalty after VAR intervention in a Saudi Pro match between Al Fateh and Al Hilal.

Nevertheless, he has still been selected for this year's tournament and tonight's match will be his World Cup debut.

He will be joined for Canada's game against Qatar by an almost all-Chilean crew, with José Retamal and Miguel Rocha his assistants on the touchlines.

Fourth Official will be Kevin Ortega from Peru, while Video Assistant Referee will be Juan Lara.

Dublin , Ireland - 28 May 2026; Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images) — Qatar boss Julen Lopetegui is hoping his side can cause an upset against the hosts (Image credit: Getty Images)

Another Peruvian, Michael Orue, will be the reserve assistant referee, in case a substitute is needed.

So far there have been four red cards in total shown during the current tournament, with three shown in the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa.

Since then, Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović was sent off against Switzerland.

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Ryan Gray is a freelance writer, covering mainly travel and occasionally sport. He previously spent two years as Sports Editor at the Watford Observer before turning his hand to travel writing, with his work appearing in various national UK publications. He has gone from providing matchday commentary for Blyth Spartans to covering FA Cup and Euros finals, as well as interviewing the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Alan Shearer and Glenn Hoddle, among other big names.