arts
FIFA referee with controversial history on Portugal-Spain match at Dallas Stadium
By Charles Nichelson and DANIELLA MATAR | The Associated Press at NBC DFW
· July 6, 2026
· 4 min read
The 2026 FIFA World Cup returns to Dallas Stadium on Monday, July 6, when Portugal plays Spain at 2 p.m. Refereeing is back in the spotlight after FIFA announced English referee Anthony Taylor would be the head referee for the match. Taylor has had notable moments in international club and country t
Key takeaway Taylor has had notable moments in international club and country tournaments, including the 2024 Euros and the 2023 Europa League Final.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The assignment of English referee Anthony Taylor to the Portugal-Spain match at Dallas Stadium raises eyebrows among local soccer fans, given his history of controversy in high-stakes tournaments. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings international attention to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the scrutiny on referees will be intense. Taylor's previous decisions, such as the disputed handball call in the 2024 Euros quarterfinals, have sparked debate about the role of referees in shaping match outcomes. The fact that Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, called for a rules change after that incident underscores the passion and investment that fans have in fair refereeing. With Taylor at the helm for the Portugal-Spain match, local fans will be watching closely to see how he navigates the pressure and potential controversy, reflecting the city's own enthusiasm for the beautiful game.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: arts ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The 2026 FIFA World Cup returns to Dallas Stadium on Monday, July 6, when Portugal plays Spain at 2 p.m. Refereeing is back in the spotlight after FIFA announced English referee Anthony Taylor would be the head referee for the match. Taylor has had notable moments in international club and country t
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Charles Nichelson and DANIELLA MATAR | The Associated Press at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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