Big name set to miss World Cup opener due to injury just days before kick-off
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 13.06.26. | 21:09
A well-known football name won't be able to appear on the pitch in the opening round of the group stage
What a blow for England! Only not for their national football team, but for their Referees' Association.
Even though he was selected as the referee of the Group E clash between the Ivory Coast and Ecuador, Michael Oliver will miss it because of an injury.
An England injury already! 😮
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 13, 2026
English referee Michael Oliver has been ruled out of his first match at the 2026 World Cup because of injury.
Fifa said he's expected to be available for selection again "in the coming days". pic.twitter.com/LkgAvP57qo
However, since it was categorized as minor, the 41-year-old will likely return to action soon.
FIFA acted quickly after the news broke, appointing Francois Letexier as Oliver's replacement for the match in Philadelphia.
![Somali referee returns home to hero’s welcome after World Cup heartbreak [VIDEO]](https://cdn3.mozzartsport.co.ke/upload/825x464/News/Image/2026_06/1781077437028_uukrktltl.jpg)
Apart from the Ashington-born man, England's representative among the 52 World Cup officials - including banned Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan - will also be Anthony Taylor, who is yet to be assigned a game.
As for Oliver, this will be his second World Cup appearance, as he officiated three matches in Qatar four years ago: Costa Rica-Japan and Mexico-Saudi Arabia in the group stage and the quarter-final clash between Croatia and Brazil.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
First round
Thursday, 11.06.
Mexico - South Africa 2-0 (1-0)
/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/
Friday, 12. 06.
South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)
/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/
Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)
/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/
Saturday, 13.06.
USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)
/Bobadilla 7 og, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/
22.00: (12.0) Qatar (5.40) Switzerland (1.28)
Sunday, 14.06.
01.00: (1.62) Brazil (3.80) Morocco (5.80)
04.00: (6.80) Haiti (4.45) Scotland (1.47)
07.00: (4.50) Australia (3.50) Turkey (1.83)
20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)
23.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)
Monday, 15.06.
02.00: (3.60) Ivory Coast (2.90) Ecuador (2.30)
05.00: (2.00) Sweden (3.35) Tunisia (4.00)
19.00: (1.10) Spain (9.50) Cape Verde (27.0)
22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)
Tuesday 16.06.
01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)
04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)
22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)
***odds are subject to change***