FIFA announced today, Friday, the appointment of the Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton to officiate the decisive match between Iraq and Bolivia in the final global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, scheduled at the Monterrey Stadium.

Barton is considered one of the prominent referees in the CONCACAF region, with an international career that began in 2018. He is known for his disciplinary strictness on the field, earning the nickname 'Lover of Red Cards,' as he has issued more than 108 red cards during his career.

He is also known for his frequent use of colored cards, with an average of more than five yellow cards per match, which suggests a match managed with high firmness from the start whistle.

Outside the fields, Barton works as a university professor in chemistry, giving him a notable academic background alongside his strict refereeing personality. 

The Salvadoran referee has extensive experience in managing major matches in the Saudi Professional League 'Roshen League,' where he led important clashes for clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Shabab, gaining insight into the unique fan atmospheres and high pressure in the region.

Internationally, Barton participated in officiating matches during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, including strong matches like Brazil against Germany and France against Japan, reflecting his accumulated experience in major events.

His appointment to lead the playoff final puts players before a strict refereeing standard that requires high discipline and avoiding unnecessary contacts, especially in a match that could be decided by small details and may extend to extra time.