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Alireza Faghani
🏆 Appointed: World Cup 2026 — France vs Senegal, 16 June 2026Referee Overview
Alireza Faghani is one of the most extensively experienced officials on the current FIFA international panel. The 48-year-old Australian has built a career spanning 439 fixtures across four continents, issuing 1,589 yellow cards at a career average of 3.62 per match and 37 red cards across the full body of work. His appointment history places him comfortably among the elite tier of active FIFA-listed referees worldwide.
The breadth of his competition record is striking. Faghani has officiated 119 A-League Men fixtures — where his career average across all seasons is 3.91 yellows per game — as well as 62 AFC Champions League Elite matches, appearances at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups (six games in total), the AFC Asian Cup (nine matches), the Olympic Games, the Confederations Cup, and most recently four assignments at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. He is, without question, the most decorated Australian referee of his generation.
One of the defining statistical features of Faghani’s profile is the measurable upward shift in his card output as competition stakes increase. His A-League domestic average in 2024/25 stood at 2.20 per game, rising to 3.62 in 2025/26. At AFC Champions League level the career figure is 4.21, the FIFA World Cup sits at 4.30, and his Club World Cup 2025 rate of 4.75 represents his highest recorded tournament average. Tonight’s appointment for France vs Senegal at MetLife Stadium is the most prestigious of his career.
Discipline KPIs at a Glance
Yellow Cards per Game — Competition Breakdown
Yellow Cards per Match — Last 10 Known Fixtures
🔴 Peak: Chelsea vs PSG, FIFA CWC (13 Jul 2025) — 6 yellows + 1 red. 🟢 Most recent: Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar (2 Apr 2026) — 0 yellows. Chart plots yellow cards only per appointment.
Recent Match Log
Group I kicks off tonight at MetLife Stadium. Read our complete France vs Senegal match preview, tactical breakdown, and free predictions before kick-off.
France vs Senegal Preview & Tips →Referee Statistics FAQ
How many yellow cards does Alireza Faghani average per game?
How often does Faghani issue red cards?
What is Faghani’s penalty award rate?
Is Faghani a consistent referee across different competitions?
How should referee card averages be interpreted when assessing card markets?
France vs Senegal — Beginner’s Q&A
Who is the referee for France vs Senegal at the 2026 World Cup?
Alireza Faghani is the appointed referee for France vs Senegal on 16 June 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The Australian FIFA official has World Cup experience from both 2018 and 2022, making him one of the most seasoned officials assigned to the 2026 tournament. His appointment to a Group I opener of this magnitude reflects his standing at the very top of the FIFA referee panel.
What does Faghani’s card average suggest about France vs Senegal?
Faghani averages 4.30 yellow cards per game at World Cup level — above his career average of 3.62. In a Group I opener between two physically combative, tactically committed nations, that baseline suggests the disciplinary markets carry genuine analytical interest. The combination of Senegal’s hard-pressing defensive block and France’s high-volume attacking system creates exactly the kind of contested midfield battle that tends to generate bookings under a firm international referee.
What is a yellow card market in football betting?
A yellow card market is a bet on how many cautions will be issued during a specific match. Common formats include over/under totals (e.g. over 3.5 total cards), first player to be booked, and anytime booking bets on named players. In bookings points markets, yellows typically carry a value of 10 points and reds 25, with a combined cap applied. Faghani’s World Cup average of 4.30 per game provides a useful starting anchor when assessing these markets for France vs Senegal.
What does over 3.5 cards mean in a betting market?
Backing over 3.5 cards requires four or more yellow cards — or equivalent combinations including red cards — to be shown during the ninety minutes for the bet to land. Backing under 3.5 requires three or fewer. With Faghani averaging 4.30 per game in World Cup football, the over 3.5 line sits within the statistical range his international appointments typically produce, though every individual fixture generates its own outcome.
What is a player booking bet?
A player booking bet is a wager on a specific named footballer to receive a yellow or red card at any point during the match. Defensive midfielders, hard-pressing forwards, and attacking full-backs who regularly engage in physical duels tend to attract the most attention in this market. For France vs Senegal specifically, Senegal’s holding midfield pair and France’s wide pressers operating in tight central corridors represent natural focal points for disciplinary activity under Faghani’s watch.
What group are France and Senegal in at World Cup 2026?
France and Senegal are both placed in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Norway and Iraq. Their opening match at MetLife Stadium carries enormous strategic weight: an early win provides goal difference cushion and group leadership momentum, making this far more than a standalone fixture. Both nations understand that the first result sets the tone for their entire group-stage campaign.
Who are France’s main attacking threats against Senegal?
Kylian Mbappe is the headline danger, entering the tournament one international goal away from equalling Olivier Giroud’s all-time France scoring record of 57 goals. He has scored in each of his last four competitive international appearances and arrives in outstanding form after a 25-goal La Liga season at Real Madrid. Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Marcus Thuram provide additional width and penetration across what is one of the most varied attacking units at the tournament. For full match analysis and free predictions, read our France vs Senegal preview.
Has Faghani refereed a World Cup match involving France before?
Yes — Faghani was appointed for France’s 4-3 FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Argentina, a high-scoring and physically intense encounter that produced four yellow cards. That direct experience managing the French squad at tournament level — including exposure to their pressing triggers and physicality in midfield — provides Faghani with relevant context for tonight’s entirely different tactical challenge against Senegal’s structured defensive block.
Where can I find today’s best referee betting tip?
Our referee tip of the day for France vs Senegal is built around Faghani’s full statistical profile and the specific match context. Given a World Cup average of 4.30 yellows per game and a Group I clash with the physical profile described throughout this page, the card markets are firmly in analytical focus. View today’s dedicated referee pick and access live odds directly via our best referee tip of the day page.
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Referee statistics are historical and do not guarantee future outcomes. Odds subject to change.
