Who is the referee for Switzerland vs Colombia?

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 18: Johan Manzambi #9 of Switzerland celebrates after the 4-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Switzerland midfielder John Manzambi (Image credit: Getty Images)

Switzerland and Colombia are preparing to play each other for the last remaining Quarter Final place at the 2026 World Cup.

The winner will face either Egypt or defending champions Argentina, with those two playing each other earlier in the day.

Here's who will be officiating the vital Round of 16 clash.

El Salvador official set to take charge of his third World Cup match

GUADALUPE, MEXICO - MARCH 31: Referee Ivan Barton reacts to Moises Paniagua of Bolivia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off tournament final match between Iraq and Bolivia at Estadio Monterrey on March 31, 2026 in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Referee Ivan Barton is set to take charge of Switzerland vs Colombia at the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

The final Round of 16 match will be officiated by Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton.

It will be his third game of the tournament, having previously officiated group matches between Turkey and Paraguay and Japan and Sweden.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Head Referee Ivan Barton about to blow his whistle during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Türkiye and Paraguay at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Scott Gould/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Ivan Barton (Image credit: Getty Images)

Barton went viral during the Turkey and Paraguay match after his overly dramatic announcement of a red card for Miguel Almiron, following a VAR review.

That incident saw the official become the first to issue a red card for a player covering their mouth with their hand.

The 35-year-old is featuring in his second World Cup, having taken charge of three matches at Qatar 2022, including England's Round of 16 match against Senegal.

Barton will be joined on the pitch by two fellow Salvadorans, with David Moran and Antonio Pupiro assisting from the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Katia Itzel Garcia and Sandra Ramirez, both from Mexico, will be assuming fourth official and reserve assistant referee duties.

Miguel Almiron explains to the Paraguay staff why he was sent off against Turkiye

Miguel Almiron was sent off for covering his mouth against Turkey (Image credit: Getty Images)

Barton's previous record is pretty unpredictable when it comes to dishing out cards, with only three players booked during the three World Cup matches at Qatar combined.

However, during 21 Salvadoran league matches in 2025 and 2026, Barton dished out 12 red cards and a staggering 113 yellows.

However, he has been a little less card happy during this summer's tournament, handing out just five yellows altogether in addition to Almiron's red.

Ryan Gray
Freelance Writer

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. 

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