South African referee Victor Gomes will be in charge of the seventh game of the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup between defending champions France and Australia at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday.
This is the 39-year-old’s first World Cup and has been made the first African to officiate at the ongoing Mundial.
Gomes leads an Africa-dominated team of officials for this Group D and last game of the day at Al Janoub Stadium.
Compatriot Zakhele Siwela will act as Assistant Referee 1 while Souru Phatsoane from Lesotho plays the role of Assistant 2
The Fourth Official will be Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda.
Meet referee Victor Gomes
Gomes has been a referee in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League since 2008, winning the Referee of the Season award twice in his career.
Since his first game, he has overseen 322 matches in all competitions. He has issued 51 red cards and awarded 110 penalties.
Gomes was appointed an official Fifa referee in 2011 and has since taken charge of some huge international matches.
Few were more important than the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final which saw Senegal beat Egypt in a dramatic penalty shootout.
He also officiated the 2021/22 Caf Champions League final in which Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca won 2-1 against Al Ahly.
Card-happy Victor Gomes has hinted he will be announcing his retirement after the World Cup ends in December
Since his first game in 2008, Gomes has overseen 322 matches in all competitions. He has issued 51 red cards and awarded 110 penalties.
Full appointments: FRANCE vs AUSTRALIA
Referee: Victor Gomes (RSA)
Assistant Referee 1: Zakhele Siwela (RSA)
Assistant Referee 2: Souru Phatsoane (LES)
Fourth Official: Salima Mukansanga (RWA)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Katheryn Nesbitt (USA)
Video Assistant Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Adil Zourak (MAR)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Corey Parker (USA)
