FIFA announced the appointment of Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton to officiate the decisive encounter between Iraq and Bolivia in the final global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and the competition.

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 him the nickname 'Lover of Red Cards,' having issued more than 108 red cards throughout his career.

He is also known for frequently using colored cards, with an average of more than five yellow cards per match, indicating a highly disciplined match from the start whistle.

Outside the stadiums, Barton works as a university professor in chemistry, which provides him with a notable academic background alongside his strict refereeing personality.

The Salvadoran referee has extensive experience in officiating major matches in the Saudi Professional League, having led important encounters for clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Shabab, gaining insight into the unique crowd atmosphere and high pressure in the region.

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