Who is Jesús Valenzuela, the referee for Ivory Coast vs Norway? Round of 32, World Cup 2026
Venezuela’s Valenzuela will be the man in the middle in Texas, as the Ivorians and the Norwegians tussle for a last-16 place.
Venezuela’s Jesús Valenzuela will referee today’s 2026 World Cup clash at AT&T Stadium, where Ivory Coast and Norway meet in the round of 32.
Officiating at his second men’s World Cup, Valenzuela is taking charge of his fifth career game at the FIFA tournament - and his second in the knockout stages.
Valenzuela’s World Cup career so far:
2022:
- Group stage: England 0-0 United States (0 yellow cards; 0 red cards)
- Round of 16: France 3-1 Poland (3 yellow cards; 0 red cards)
2026:
- Group stage: Australia 2-0 Türkiye (1 yellow card; 0 red cards)
- Group stage: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar (2 yellow cards; 0 red cards)
At Qatar 2022, Valenzuela was also the fourth official for France’s 2-0 semifinal win over Morocco.
Jesús Valenzuela: at-a-glance fact file
Age: 42
Born: November 24, 1983 (Acarigua, Venezuela)
FIFA international referee since: 2013
Games at World Cup: 4 (2022, 2026)
Games at Copa América: 5 (2019, 2021, 2024)
Notable appointments:
- 2021 Copa América semifinals
- 2022 World Cup round of 16
- 2025 Club World Cup quarterfinals
- 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final
- 2023, 2024, 2025 Copa Libertadores semifinals
- 2020, 2023 Copa Sudamericana final
- 2022, 2025 Recopa Sudamericana final
Ivory Coast vs Norway: the match officials
- Lead referee: Jesús Valenzuela, Venezuela
- Assistant referee 1: Jorge Urrego, Venezuela
- Assistant referee 2: Tulio Moreno, Venezuela
- Fourth official: Juan Gabriel Benítez, Paraguay
- Reserve assistant referee: Eduardo Cardozo, Paraguay
The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup matches 77, 78 and 79 have been appointed. 🤝
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 28, 2026
Ivory Coast vs Norway: kickoff times, how to watch in the U.S.
The clash in Arlington, Texas, kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. It will be available to U.S. viewers on Fox Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Fox One and fubo.
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