Who is the referee for Netherlands vs Japan?

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - FEBRUARY 21: Referee Ismail Elfath during the first half of a MLS game between St. Louis City SC and Charlotte FC at Energizer Park — MLS referee Ismail Elfath is in charge of Netherlands vs Japan (Image credit: Getty Images)

Netherlands vs Japan has everything required to make a decent contest, but who’s on the whistle for this one?

World Cup 2026’s Group F opener pits the Netherlands against Japan at AT&T Stadium, and while FIFA rankings may make Oranje the favourites, Japan’s host of European-based playing talent is sure to make this one interesting.

But who’s officiating the contest?

The referee for Netherlands vs Japan at World Cup 2026

Moroccan-born American referee Ismail Elfath has been appointed the lead referee for this one.

He started his whistle-toting career in the MLS over 15 years ago, and has been named Referee of the Year in that division twice over the past six years.

DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Referee Ismail Elfath is seen prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium — Ismail Elfath was also involved at World Cup 2022 in Qatar (Image credit: Getty Images)

Elfath was also at World Cup 2022, where he took charge of Japan’s Round of 16 game against Croatia, and was fourth official for the historic final between Argentina and France.

On either flank, he’s joined by an all-American line-up of Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins.

Katia Itzel Garcia is charged with managing the dugouts, the Mexican official primarily refereeing in Liga MX and internationally in the women’s game.

She has also worked on the 2024 Summer Olympics and taken charge of games in the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

Fellow Mexican Sandra Ramirez is the reserve assistant referee.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MAY 09: Referee Katia Itzel Garcia holds the ball during the quarterfinals second leg match between Cruz Azul and Atlas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX — Katia Itzel Garcia will be between the two dugouts for this Group F opener (Image credit: Getty Images)

American referee Armando Villarreal is leading the Video Assistant Referee operation for this game, another official who works domestically in the MLS, and was also on VAR in the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

His assistant is Brazilian Rodolpho Toski, who officiates primarily in his home nation’s Serie A, and has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2017.

Polish official Tomasz Kwiatkowski rounds out the screen-based referee trio for this one.

Isaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters’ meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.