Referee Alireza Faghani discusses officiating during Mexico and England match

Referee Alireza Faghani has addressed the officiating during the 2026 World Cup last-16 match between England and Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. England manager Thomas Tuchel publicly criticized the refereeing performance following the competitive fixture. The match took place on 5 July in Mexico City, where the crowd of nearly 90,000 spectators created intense noise levels within the stadium. High altitude conditions at 2,240 metres also played a role in the environment, as Mexico has maintained a strong competitive record at the venue since 2013. Faghani, an Australian-Iranian official, provided his perspective on the events that occurred during the high-stakes encounter. The commentary offers insight into the challenges faced by officials operating in the distinct atmosphere of the Azteca during the tournament.

• 5:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — ‘The noise was unbelievable’: the referee’s view of Mexico v England at the World Cup