Mexico’s World Cup journey rolls on this evening, with a matchup that could shape the destiny of Group A. El Tri faces South Korea in the opening game on matchday two of the World Cup group stage. On Monday, FIFA confirmed the officiating crew assigned to handle the contest.

Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera has been selected as the center official for the match, which will be played in Guadalajara. The 38-year-old will be joined on the Estadio Akron field by countrymen Carlos Barreiro and Nicolás Taran, who will serve as his assistant referees.

Colombia’s Andrés Rojas will act as fourth official, while Rojas’s compatriot Alexander Guzmán has been named reserve assistant referee.

Who is Gustavo Tejera, the referee for Mexico vs South Korea?

Tejera was born in Montevideo in 1988. He made his professional refereeing debut in Uruguay’s top flight in 2014 and has since overseen 161 matches in the domestic league. He earned his FIFA badge in 2018 and debuted on the international club stage in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana. He later worked Copa Libertadores matches in 2020 and was also selected for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

At international level, Tejera broke into senior competition officiating during CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying for this summer’s tournament. He has also handled matches at the youth level, including the 2023 U-17 World Cup and the 2025 U-20 World Cup. The clash between Mexico and South Korea will mark his first appearance at a senior FIFA World Cup.

Tejera has built a reputation as a referee who prefers decisive action over lengthy conversations. Across 344 official matches, he has issued a total of 1,733 yellow cards - clear evidence of his strict, no-nonsense approach on the field.

Mexico vs South Korea: kickoff times, how to watch the U.S.

The Group A matchup kicks off today, Thursday, June 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Viewers in the U.S. can watch the game on FOX Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo, Fox One and fubo.

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