Argentine face France in the World Cup final on Sunday, but who will be refereeing the game’s biggest fixture? Let’s take a look at Szymon Marciniak and his career to date.
Argentina and France will both desperately want to win on Sunday, and the 22 men on the pitch will be giving it their all to try to lift this sport’s greatest prize.
However, the fate of both teams may well lie in the hands of the 23rd man on the pitch – the referee.
Referees have had their say in World Cup finals in the past. 1966’s edition was famously decided by Geoff Hurst’s ghost goal, while a deserved red card for Zinedine Zidane in 2006 swung the tie in Italy’s favour.
Who is refereeing the World Cup final?
The referee for this match with be Polish official Szymon Marciniak.
The 41-year-old has been a FIFA listed official for over 11 years now, and he has a wealth of experience in big games.
He’s refereed at two World Cups previously and has also been in charge for the 2018 UEFA Super Cup Final.
Szymon Marciniak at the 2022 World Cup
Many will be wondering what Marciniak’s history at this World Cup is.
Interestingly, according to WhoScored, Marciniak has officiated one France game and one Argentina game at this tournament.
Both times the World Cup finalists won 2-1 when Marciniak has been on the pitch, with France overcoming Australia – being denied a penalty for handball in that game. While Argentina beat Denmark 2-1 when Marciniak was the official in that match.
He’s given out five yellow cards and no red cards at this tournament.
There is one good omen for any superstitious Argentina fans out there ahead of this final. Marciniak is born on January 7th, the same date as Romualdo Arppi Filho – the man who refereed the final in 1986 – the last time Argentina won this tournament.
Fingers crossed this will be a game without refereeing controversy, but when the stakes are this high, anything can happen.
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