France and Spain were considered two of the frontrunners to claim the World Cup title, but only one team can advance to the final on July 19th. These two renowned European squads will face off today in the opening semifinal, with Ivan Barton officiating the match.
Ivan Barton’s Career and FIFA Record
Ivan Barton, a referee from El Salvador, has been officiating FIFA-sanctioned matches since 2018. He primarily referees within the CONCACAF region, managing competitions such as the National Cup and Gold Cup. At 35 years old, Barton is participating in his second World Cup, having previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as noted by AS.
During the current tournament, he made headlines by becoming the first referee to issue a red card to a player for covering his mouth during an altercation.
Being chosen as a referee for the World Cup is a prestigious achievement, requiring officials to meet stringent physical, technical, and psychological assessments conducted by FIFA.
As reported by The Times, central referees like Barton earn a base salary of $100,000 for their participation in the World Cup. Additional payments range from $5,000 to $10,000 for each match officiated, suggesting that Barton’s total income could increase with more game assignments during the event.
If Barton officiates the World Cup final, his total compensation could approach $300,000, including bonuses earned throughout the tournament, according to La Prensa Grafica.
FIFA also compensates assistant referees, fourth officials, and Video Assistant Referees (VARs), with their earnings depending on their specific roles. VAR officials and assistants typically earn around $3,000 per match during the group stage and approximately $5,000 per match in the knockout phase, in addition to regular payments for the tournament.
Moreover, FIFA takes care of accommodation, meals, transportation, and other logistical expenses for all officials during the World Cup, as stated by La Prensa Grafica.
Player Focus
According to AS, Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was observed covering his mouth while speaking to Turkish player Mert Muldur. Additionally, Barton officiated the group stage match between Japan and Sweden before being appointed to oversee the round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia.
Team Analysis
Explore our analysis on the Spanish lineup for the match against France: Why are Nico Williams, Pedri, and Gavi not in the starting XI?
