The officiating in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar has been a subject of constant discourse . Many players, coaches, experts and fans have criticized the referees for their decisions. The officials, for every game, have been under serious scrutiny, especially as the finals are around the corner. Everyone is hoping for a fair and competitive finale, where two of the best teams in the tournament - Argentina and France will lock horns for a thrilling fixture.
Hence the footballing world was waiting for FIFA to announce the referee of the final, which was revealed to be Poland’s Szymon Marciniak. The 41-year-old will make history as the first man from his country to take charge of a FIFA World Cup final at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Marciniak officiated France's group-stage victory over Denmark and Argentina's Round of 16 win against Australia. The Polish international will be assisted by compatriots Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz for the Grand Finale.
The 41-year-old has been a mainstay in the UEFA Champions League and took charge during Liverpool's first-leg semi-final victory over Villarreal last season. He was the head referee in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Marciniak also refereed three matches at the 2016 UEFA EURO.
Whereas talking about the play-off for third place between Morocco and Croatia at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday, Abdulrahman Al Jassim of Qatar has been appointed to be the referee. The 35-year-old officiated the USA and Wales' 1-1 group stage draw.
He also was part of the FIFA Club World Cup final between Liverpool and Flamengo in December 2019. Al Jassim will be partnered up with countrymen Taleb Al Marri and Saoud Ahmed Almaqaleh as assistant referees for the fixture.
The recently concluded knockout games in the quarterfinals and semifinals have been riddled with multiple controversial refereeing decisions with several officials being on the firing line for their performances. Spanish official Antonio Mateu Lahoz was sent back after he handed out a World Cup record 18 bookings - 16 players and two coaches - in the infamous quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
