Almost a complete failure. The refereeing of France-Paraguay continues to spark huge debate after Les Bleus qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. At the center of the criticism is Ilgiz Tantashev, the Uzbek referee in charge of the match, who was heavily criticized for his handling of a particularly tense game.
Ilgiz Tantashev came close to a total disaster after a highly controversial performance. According to L’Équipe, the man in black received a rating of 1/10 for his display during the last-16 match won by France against Paraguay (1-0). An extremely rare mark, corresponding to an “awful match” in the newspaper’s rating system. A 0/10 is reserved for a match marked by unacceptable behavior.
A refereeing display that sparked major criticism
On the pitch, Les Bleus had to deal with a very aggressive Paraguayan side, with constant contact, provocations and fouls. Yet despite that permanent intensity, no Paraguay player was booked. By contrast, several France players received yellow cards in a match largely dominated by Paraguay’s physical approach. Between unpunished fouls, ignored challenges and decisions considered inconsistent, Tantashev quickly became the focus of criticism.
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Aged 42 and taking part in his first World Cup, Tantashev remains relatively inexperienced at the highest international level, even though he has already officiated several knockout-stage matches and games at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including a particularly tense France-Argentina quarter-final. Known for a very permissive style and a tendency to let play continue, he already carries a reputation as a controversial referee in high-intensity matches.
The tension was also fueled by the scenario of the match. France eventually made the difference through a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé, in a game where Les Bleus had to keep their cool to avoid falling into the trap. Several French players later referred to Paraguay’s rough behavior, with Mbappé speaking of a match where France had to accept “dirty football,” while Rayan Cherki joked about the number of fouls committed without any punishment. France won, stayed at eleven men and reached the quarter-finals, but after this Paraguay-France clash, Ilgiz Tantashev’s name is likely to keep making headlines, not necessarily for the right reasons.
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