Lawyer to Officiate Saudi Arabia vs Cape Verde World Cup Match

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced the appointment of French referee François Letexier to officiate the match between the Saudi national team and Cape Verde, as part of the third round of the group stage in the 2026 World Cup.

Lutecier is considered one of the leading elite referees in the European continent, having previously officiated the final match of the 2024 European Cup between Spain and England.

The French referee has a different aspect off the field, as he works in the legal field as a lawyer before continuing his career in refereeing due to his strong connection with football.

The International Federation explained that Letexier began his refereeing experience at an early age, when he first picked up the whistle at the age of 14, before gradually reaching the highest levels.

The French referee received his international badge from FIFA in 2017, and his first international match was in 2018 when he officiated the game between Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Lutecier also officiated the recent UEFA Europa League final in Istanbul between England's Aston Villa and Germany's Freiburg, in addition to other high-profile European matches.

The 2026 World Cup will mark the first appearance of the French referee in the tournament, while the Saudi national team is seeking a victory against Cape Verde to secure a chance to qualify.

The Green enters the match after a draw with Uruguay and a loss to Spain by four goals, making it imperative to earn points in the final round of Group H.