Who is the referee for France vs Poland in the World Cup 2022 round of 16 game?
World Cup holders France face Poland at the impressive Al Thumama Stadium in Doha in the first quarter-final on Sunday.
Following their defeat at the hands of Tunisia in their final Group D contest, France manager Didier Deschamps will be hoping for a brighter performance from his side as the reigning world champions face Poland on Sunday at Al Thumama Stadium.
Follow France vs Poland live online: score, stats and updates, Qatar World Cup 2022.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Deschamps stated that there could be no complacency from his side in Doha.
“It’s not a team we’re used to meeting,” he told FFF TV. “They have experienced players. Obviously, if there is one name to stand out, it’s [Robert] Lewandowski, he’s one of the best strikers in the world.
“But it’s not just him, it’s a team that has good organisation, a good athletic presence. We have three observers here who are following them closely, we will have all the details. Don’t underestimate this team.”
Deschamps rung the changes for France’s final Group D match on Wednesday, which they surprisingly lost 1-0 to Tunisia.
Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Hugo Lloris, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann were among the players who dropped to the bench for that loss.
Poland will need to find a way of containing Mbappe, the joint-leading scorer in the tournament with three goals, while Giroud is one shy of becoming his country’s all-time leading goalscorer as he currently stands level with Thierry Henry on 51.
The Eagles were beaten 2-0 by Argentina in their last Group C game on Wednesday but took second place.
Poland have faced the reigning champions twice in World Cup matches, beating Brazil 1-0 in 1974 and holding Germany to a goalless draw four years later.
France-Poland: match official
FIFA have appointed Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela Sáez to oversee the Al Thumama clash. The 38-year-old is a regular fixture in the domestic league and has overseen many high profile fixtures in CONMEBOLS Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana and has been on FIFA’s books since 2013.
The Venezuelan previously oversaw the England v USA Group B clash at Al Bayt with tonight’s game set to be his second at the 2022 World Cup.
Valenzuela Saez will be be supported on Friday by Jorge Urrego Martínez, Tulio Moreno with Kevin Ortega as fourth official.