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#Post#: 109209--------------------------------------------------
The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: HChip
Date: July 15, 2026, 4:46 pm
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If only Turpin was here….
Sampaio ruled out for obvious reasons.
My obvious pick would be Vincic but would FIFA really want to
give UEFA the spotlight after the tension, some specifically
surrounding referees..
Valenzuela?
Faghani might not go down well with Mr Trump, and I don’t know
if his OFR’s rule him out.
#Post#: 109210--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: July 15, 2026, 4:52 pm
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I don’t think it’ll be UEFA. It might’ve been if it was Spain vs
England but I think they’ll keep neutrality.
So for me, Adham Makhadmeh or Alireza Faghani. Couldn’t pick
between either.
#Post#: 109211--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: BabyRef
Date: July 15, 2026, 4:55 pm
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As much as you could make a credible case for Makhadmeh or
Valenzuela, I think FIFA will look for a referee with serious
tournament experience and gravitas for what could be a niggly
game. I would say Faghani or Vincic and his confedaration
neutrality makes me think Faghani.
Ironically, I think Faghani probably deserved it in 2018 but
less so this year - so maybe would be delayed justice!
#Post#: 109213--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: Semi Retired
Date: July 15, 2026, 5:10 pm
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I’d say Faghani. And all in all, I’d say deserved.
#Post#: 109220--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
Date: July 16, 2026, 2:09 am
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I wonder if politics will play a part in this final.
Would they consider putting an Iranian thread ie Faghani into
the mix, given Trump is there.
I’d say Vincic is head of the queue. Sampaio is out of the
reckoning after Argentina qualified.
Jalal Jayed is still there… an outsider?
#Post#: 109221--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: Lanyardhater
Date: July 16, 2026, 2:37 am
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No-one’s mentioned Barton/Elfath. Bearing in mind that Tori
Penso refereed a semi and the Final in the Women’s World Cup, it
could happen.
I’m not saying it SHOULD happen, but with FIFA, anything CAN
happen. And from what I’ve read, both were ok in their semis,
especially Elfath, confounding many of the expectations on here
- including mine!
#Post#: 109226--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: Wollongong Ref
Date: July 16, 2026, 3:59 am
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Faghani. Wilton S for 3/4
#Post#: 109230--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: mac
Date: July 16, 2026, 4:59 am
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Spain v Argentina should eliminate Portugal and Brazil from
Final contention.
I can't see it being one who reffed a semi, or a second final
for Marciniak, but who knows. There must still be a UEFA
appointment between the two games or why keep that number of
refs? An Iranian ref would be a turn up for the books given the
current climate but again, if he's not a contender why not send
him back to Oz after the quarters?
If neutrality eliminates UEFA then it'll have to eliminate
Venezuela too. Which leaves Faghani (above), Makhmedeh or Jayed
- politically you'd think the outsider there is Faghani.
Makhmedeh has already reffed 4 games so maybe he will get 4th?
I'm giving up on predictions now before I have to re-mortgage!
#Post#: 109231--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: ARF
Date: July 16, 2026, 5:03 am
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I'm not sure why everyone is immediately ruling Sampaio out,
he's refereed Argentina several times before.
I think it's safe to assume those who were appointed to
semi-finals can be ruled out of receiving another appointment
(however I also thought it was safe to assume Marciniak would
get a SF, so who knows). I think it's also safe to assume
Marcianiak won't be given the final again - I'd be surprised if
he got the 3rd place game either, given that he won't have done
a game for over three weeks by that point. Jayed and Eskas have
both had 4O appointments in the knockout stages which would
appear to preclude them from getting the middle in either of the
two remaining games. I really don't think Faghani will get the
middle for either game after the two OFRs in the Mexico-England
game (not to mention the OFR he extraordinarily turned down in
France-Senegal). I have the feeling Pinheiro won't get a further
game, having a done a QF (and having needed the controversial
'mistaken identity' OFR to spot Embolo's obvious dive).
That leaves Makhadmeh, Valenzuela, Sampaio and Vinčić.
I'm not even going to try predicting who of them might get what!
#Post#: 109232--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Final - final predictions!
DIR By: Lanyardhater
Date: July 16, 2026, 5:31 am
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Can we not imagine The Rump picking up the phone, and the
following conversation taking place:
Hi Gianni, how are you today?
Oh hi Don. I’m good. How are you?
I’m good. Listen, Gianni, I’ve been thinking. Since our man had
such a great game yesterday between two warring nations, have
you thought about rewarding him by giving him the Final on
Sunday? It would also be a way to thank the United States for
being the host country [sic] of this fabulous tournament.
I’ve been thinking along the same lines, Don.
Terrific. I guess Pierluigi won’t be too happy as he’s kept all
those other guys here to be in with a shout, eh?
Oh don’t worry about Pierluigi. I call him Sandie nowadays
anyway.
I don’t get it, Gianni.
[There now follows a brief discussion of the Eurovision
Song Contest and singers
with bare feet, which I shall not bore you with].
So that’s settled then, Gianni. Our man for the Final. I know
he’s of Moroccan descent but he’s an American citizen and that’s
what counts. Ciao Gianni.
Ciao Don. See you on Sunday.
[I’m only joking of course. I mean, such outside
interference with the appointing
process of a World Cup Final would never take place.
Would it ?????]
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