Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain) holds the record for the most yellow cards in a single World Cup match, showing 18 yellow cards (16 to players, plus 2 to coaching staff) in the Argentina vs Netherlands quarter-final at the 2022 World Cup. The previous record of 16 yellows was set by Valentin Ivanov (Russia) at the 2006 World Cup Battle of Nuremberg (Portugal vs Netherlands), which also holds the record for the most red cards in a single match with 4.
The Battle of Nuremberg refers to the Round of 16 match between Portugal and the Netherlands on 25 June 2006, refereed by Valentin Ivanov of Russia. It produced a then-World Cup record 16 yellow cards and 4 red cards, the most red cards ever shown in a single World Cup match, a record that still stands. Players sent off included Costinha and Deco (Portugal) and Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands). Ivanov was removed from the tournament by FIFA after the match. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Ivanov 'should have shown himself a yellow card.'
Antonio Mateu Lahoz is a retired Spanish referee who officiated at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. He is known for his highly visible style of refereeing, often allowing matches to flow before issuing cards, but also for becoming the centre of attention in major games. His most controversial match was the 2022 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands, where he issued a World Cup-record 18 yellow cards. After the match, players from both teams criticised his performance, including Lionel Messi, who said FIFA should not appoint referees who are not up to the task for such important matches.
The 2006 World Cup produced the most red cards of any tournament, with 28 dismissals. The total was driven in part by the infamous Portugal–Netherlands match, known as the "Battle of Nuremberg", which featured four red cards and 16 yellow cards.
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was introduced at the 2018 World Cup and has since changed how referees handle disciplinary decisions at the tournament. Before VAR, referees had to make all decisions in real time. VAR allows the on-field referee to review potential red card incidents, serious foul play, and cases of mistaken identity on a pitchside monitor. At the 2022 World Cup, multiple potential red cards were reviewed and several decisions were overturned. However, VAR cannot change yellow card accumulation decisions, if a player receives two legitimate yellows, VAR cannot reverse either booking. Source: FIFA.com official VAR guidelines
FIFA's Referee Committee evaluates officiating performances throughout the World Cup and can decide not to assign further matches to referees whose performances are judged unsatisfactory. After the infamous 2006 "Battle of Nuremberg", Valentin Ivanov did not receive another appointment, while Antonio Mateu Lahoz was not selected for any further matches after the controversial Argentina–Netherlands quarter-final in 2022. FIFA rarely explains such decisions publicly. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter famously said Ivanov "should have shown himself a yellow card" after the 2006 match, although he later apologised for the remark.
FIFA traditionally appoints a different referee to each World Cup final, making it one of football's most prestigious one-off assignments. Recent final referees include Szymon Marciniak (2022), Néstor Pitana (2018) and Nicola Rizzoli (2014). The appointment is typically announced shortly before the final and is based on a referee's performances throughout the tournament.
