The International Federation of Football announced the appointment of Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton to lead the anticipated match between the Iraqi national team and its Bolivian counterpart, as part of the final global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, scheduled to be held at the Monterrey Stadium.

This meeting is considered one of the most crucial stages in the journey of both teams towards the World Cup, as each side seeks to seize the qualifying ticket in a match that cannot afford mistakes, making the selection of the refereeing crew a significant factor in the course of the confrontation.

Barton has a wide reputation in North and Central America, as he is known among referees for his strictness on the field, due to his style that relies on applying the law with great firmness without leniency with cases of contact or objections.

Since the beginning of his international career in 2018, the Salvadoran referee has gained a notable title among refereeing circles, known for frequently showing colored cards, which earned him the nickname 'Lover of Red Cards', in reference to his strict decisions in dealing with violent interventions.

Statistics indicate that Barton has shown more than 108 red cards during his career, alongside a high rate of warnings reaching more than five yellow cards per match, reflecting his strict style in managing matches.

His experience is not limited to the American continent, as he has a distinguished experience in managing strong matches within the Saudi Professional League, where he led prominent confrontations for several major clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Shabab, granting him experience in dealing with major crowd pressure and high competitive atmospheres.

He has also previously participated in managing matches within the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, including strong confrontations such as Brazil against Germany and France against Japan, reflecting his presence in major international tournaments and the International Federation's confidence in his capabilities.

This appointment places the Iraqi team before an additional challenge of maintaining tactical discipline and avoiding unnecessary clashes, in a match expected to be charged with high competition and extreme caution, especially as it may be decided by small details or extend to extra time.

Amid the great Iraqi ambition to reach the World Cup, and the difficulty of the awaited confrontation, the importance of the refereeing factor increases as part of the match equation, in a meeting awaited by the sports community.