Who is Michael Oliver, the referee for Netherlands vs Sweden at the 2026 World Cup?

English referee Michael Oliver will take charge of an all-European clash at the 2026 World Cup, as the Netherlands and Sweden meet in Group F.

The Swedes head into the matchday-two game sitting top of the table, after opening up their campaign with a 5-1 thumping of Tunisia. The Dutch, meanwhile, began with a 2-2 draw against Japan.

This will be Oliver’s first run-out at this summer’s tournament. He had been due to take the helm of Ecuador and the Ivory Coast’s Group E meeting last Sunday, but was replaced by France’s François Letexier after sustaining a minor injury.

Who is Michael Oliver?

A FIFA international official since 2012, Oliver is refereeing at his second men’s World Cup. The 41-year-old was also on the roster in 2022, running the rule over three games in Qatar. Most significantly, he was appointed to Croatia’s quarterfinal tie with Brazil - a matchup that saw the Vatreni eliminate the five-time world champions on penalties.

In his three games at World Cup 2022, Oliver averaged six yellow cards per match and did not show a single red card.

On the international stage, Oliver has also refereed at two European Championships, in 2021 and 2024, overseeing a total of seven games. They included two knockout ties, both last-eight encounters settled by spot-kicks: Spain’s win over Switzerland in 2021, and France’s victory over Portugal in 2024.

The Spaniards’ triumph over the Swiss witnessed Oliver’s only red card so far at a major international tournament. Late in the second half, the referee opted to dismiss Switzerland’s Remo Freuler for his challenge on Spain’s Gerard Moreno - a decision that caused some debate. Commentating on British television, the former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon described Freuler as “very, very unlucky”.

Penalty call prompts Buffon tirade

A referee who debuted in the Premier League back in 2010, Oliver has also been at the center of contentious calls in club soccer. Notably, he drew the ire of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in 2018, after awarding Real Madrid a tie-winning penalty against Buffon’s Juventus in a closely-contested Champions League clash.

In the 93rd minute of the teams’ quarterfinal second leg, Oliver made the hotly-disputed decision to penalize Juve’s Mehdi Benatia for his tackle on Madrid’s Lucas Vázquez. Cristiano Ronaldo then scored the spot-kick - but not before Oliver had also sent off Buffon for the Bianconeri custodian’s vehement protests over the penalty call.

In a postgame interview at the Bernabéu, Buffon tore into Oliver, saying the referee had a “rubbish bin” for a heart. The official had “destroy[ed] the work of a team who gave absolutely everything”, the Italian raged.

In all, Oliver has made 47 Champions League appearances since making his debut in Europe’s elite club competition in 2016. Eleven of them have come in the knockout rounds, but - as in the World Cup and the European Championship - none have been later than the quarterfinal stage.

Netherlands vs Sweden: kickoff times, how to watch in the U.S.

In a game played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Netherlands and Sweden meet in World Cup Group F today, Saturday, June 20, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.

Viewers in the U.S. can watch the game on FOX Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FOX One and fubo. You also have the option of following live-text coverage of the game right here at AS USA.

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