Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFriday's win for the United States against Australia created some separation in Group D of the World Cup 2026 group stage.Mauricio Pochettino's co-hosts have six points after two matches, Australia three, which means the difference between a win and a loss for Turkey and Paraguay at Levi's Stadium today is all but existential for their World Cup hopes.With so much on the line in Santa Clara, who's responsible for maintaining order and deciding when to take a hydration break?Referee appointment for Turkey vs ParaguayToday's second Group D match will be refereed by Ivan Barton from El Salvador, the nation on the wrong end of the biggest-ever World Cup shoeing.The Salvadorans have qualified for the finals twice, lost all six matches, and scored one goal. That was in a record 10-1 loss against Hungary in 1982, nine years before Barton was born. You may like Who is the referee for Australia vs Turkey? Who is the referee for USA vs Paraguay? How to watch Turkey vs Paraguay for FREE Play our free match predictor and win �1kBarton, 35, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2018. He's overseen many matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico as a CONCACAF official, and was one of the confederation's five referees at his first World Cup four years ago.He took charge of three matches in Qatar: Japan's famous win over Germany, Brazil's group stage victory over Switzerland and England's round of 16 match against Senegal.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Barton only booked three players in those games combined, rather fewer on average than he has to issue in the Salvadoran league or continental competitions.In 24 matches between the Apertura and Clausura in 2025 and 2026, Barton dished out 12 red cards we'll leave you to do the math(s) on that one and an average of nearly five yellows per match.He gave a penalty in every other game, albeit in pairs in a couple of feisty Clausura fixtures this side of the turn of the year.Barton will be assisted by fellow Salvadoran David Moran and Henry Pupiro from Nicaragua in California tonight. Jamaica's Oshane Nation will be the fourth official.Khamis Al-Marri from Qatar is on VAR duty.TOPICSTurkeyParaguayWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Chris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
