When Spain and France collide in a World Cup semifinal loaded with star power, the spotlight will not fall only on Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. At the heart of the contest will be Iván Barton, the Salvadoran referee trusted by FIFA to manage one of the tournament’s most volatile fixtures.

Barton, 35, has quietly built a reputation as one of CONCACAF’s most authoritative and composed officials. Born in El Salvador, he rose through the domestic ranks before becoming a FIFA-listed referee, then established himself on the regional stage with assignments in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Gold Cup, including showpiece finals. Those matches, often charged with rivalry and high stakes, helped shape his image as a referee unafraid of big decisions.

This World Cup has further underlined that profile. France vs Spain will be Barton’s fourth match of the tournament, after he took charge of Japan’s group-stage draw with Sweden and Switzerland’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Colombia in the round of 16. Across those games he has issued 11 yellow cards, a tally that suggests firmness without drifting into excess.

His most talked-about moment came earlier in the competition, when he sent off Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón following a confrontation with Turkey’s Mert Müldür. Almirón, who covered his mouth while speaking during the altercation, became the first player in World Cup history to be dismissed in such circumstances. The decision sparked global debate about dissent, transparency and the limits of player behaviour, but it also reinforced Barton’s willingness to enforce the laws strictly, even against high-profile names.

Spain will be encountering Barton for the first time at senior level, but France know him all too well. He refereed their heavy 4-0 defeat to hosts Japan at the men’s Olympic football tournament in 2021, a match that turned sour when he sent off Randal Kolo Muani for a studs-up challenge on Koji Miyoshi. That red card remains a reference point for French fans wary of his strict interpretation of dangerous play.

As Spain and France chase a place in the final, Barton’s performance will be scrutinised as closely as any player’s. His track record suggests a referee prepared to let the game flow, but entirely ready to impose order the moment the line is crossed.