Norway’s Espen Eskas will referee Portugal’s round of 32 game against Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his second appointment since the start of the tournament.

The 38-year-old will be assisted by compatriots Jan Engan and Isaak Bashevkin. Abongile Tom of South Africa will serve as the fourth official, with Australian’s Jarred Gillett, who referees in the English Premier League, appointed VAR.

Champions League experience

Eskas, who UEFA Champions League fans may already be familiar with, was in charge of the 2-2 draw between Uruguay and Cape Verde in the group stage, showing two yellow cards to each team.

A referee in Norway’s top flight since 2015, Eskas has been selected to officiate at the World Cup for the first time. He does, however, have plenty of big-game experience in Europe, particularly in the Champions League, where he has taken charge of 17 matches since October 2022.

The highest-profile of those was Barcelona’s 4-0 thumping of Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals in April 2025.

The Oslo-born referee was also selected as a fourth official at the 2024 European Championship. That same summer, he oversaw three games at the Olympic soccer tournament, including the bronze medal match between Egypt and Morocco.

Several months earlier, Eskas took charge of the U17 World Cup final between Germany and France.

Portugal face a proven World Cup force

Despite Portugal’s star-studded squad, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Croatia’s World Cup pedigree is more impressive, having reached two semifinals and one final over the last three decades, finishing third twice.

Portugal have also progressed to the last four on two occasions, although the first came in 1966, when they finished third. The Portuguese haven’t advanced beyond the quarterfinals since 2006, when they finished fourth in Ronaldo’s first World Cup.

The winner will face either Spain or Austria in the round of 16, with that round of 32 matchup taking place earlier Thursday.

Portugal vs. Croatia: Start time, how to watch in the U.S.

The round of 32 game between Portugal and Croatia will be played at BMO Field in Toronto on Thursday, July 2, with kickoff at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

Viewers in the United States can watch all the action on FOX, FOX One, Telemundo, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo.

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