Overview
- FIFA confirmed Adham Makhadmeh will referee the England v DR Congo Round of 32 at Atlanta Stadium with Jordanian assistants Mohammed Khalaf and Ahmad Al‑Roalle and Saudi fourth official Khalid Al‑Turais.
- Makhadmeh made his World Cup debut on June 15, 2026, in Spain v Cape Verde and also took charge of New Zealand v Belgium on June 26, 2026, performances that were described as largely uneventful.
- He has been a FIFA‑listed international referee since 2013 and built his resume across AFC competitions including the 2017 AFC Champions League first leg, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, and multiple matches at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.
- Reports note he issued two yellow cards in each of his earlier World Cup games and that those steady, low‑controversy displays likely influenced FIFA’s decision to appoint him to a knockout fixture.
- The appointment follows FIFA’s practice of advancing reliable group‑stage referees to knockout rounds and places Makhadmeh under greater public scrutiny during a high‑profile match that will shape perceptions of his officiating at this tournament.