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Who Will Officiate the Uruguay vs Cape Verde Match?
Arjun Pillai | June 22, 2026 2:43 PM CST

Uruguay have a strong opportunity to secure their first win of the 2026 World Cup when they take on Cape Verde at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Nonetheless, Cape Verde will approach the fixture with confidence after earning a historic draw against former World Cup champions Spain in their opening game.

So, who will be in charge of officiating this encounter? Here are all the details you need to know.

The match will be overseen by Norwegian referee Espen Eskas.

Eskas, aged 37, has been on the FIFA list of referees since 2017 and primarily officiates in Norway’s top football division. However, this season he has also taken charge of fixtures in the UEFA Champions League, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of European competition.

In addition to his domestic and continental duties, Eskas served as the fourth official during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament held in Germany. His background in football began as a player before he transitioned into refereeing at the age of 16.

For the Uruguay vs Cape Verde clash, Eskas will be supported by assistant referees Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Bashevkin, both from Norway. The fourth official for the match will be American referee Tori Penso, with Brooke Mayo appointed as the reserve official.

Meanwhile, the video assistant referee (VAR) team will be led by French official Willy Delajod, who regularly officiates in Ligue 1 and has international experience. He will be assisted in the VAR booth by fellow French referee Jerome Brisard and Dutch official Dennis Higler.

Fans in the United Kingdom can catch the live broadcast of this fixture on BBC and BBC iPlayer, with kick-off scheduled for 11 p.m. BST, making it a late-night watch for football enthusiasts.


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