Gustavo Tejera of Uruguay has been assigned as the head referee for the second Group A match of the South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced the referee assignments Sunday. South Korea will play Mexico in their second Group A group-stage match at 10 a.m. on Friday at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. Tejera will officiate as head referee, with assistant referees Carlos Barreiro and Nicolás Taran, both of Uruguayan nationality, also taking charge.
After obtaining FIFA international referee qualification in 2018, Tejera gained experience in tournaments organized by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and FIFA age-group World Cups. This tournament marks his debut at a senior World Cup finals.
A Hardliner with 44 Red Cards, Firm on Rough Physical Play
According to football statistics site Transfermarkt, referee Tejera has officiated 344 official matches to date, issuing 1,733 yellow cards and 44 red cards. His judgment standards are relatively strict, with an average of five cautions per match.
In particular, he is known for immediately producing cards for repeated fouls or excessive contact in South American leagues and continental club competitions, where physical play is rough. He is regarded as having a style that does not overly disrupt the flow of a match but always addresses clear foul situations.
In a past interview, Tejera said, "I believe I can communicate sufficiently with players," while also stating, "I do not accept protests made in an unpleasant manner." This shows his tendency to respond firmly to emotional protests or aggressive reactions during a match.
Korea's Biggest Task Against Mexico Is 'Composure'
South Korea got off to a good start, securing a come-from-behind win against the Czech Republic in their first group-stage match. But with the Mexico match being a crucial game that could determine who tops the group, managing the players' emotions has become even more important.
In particular, with Mexico likely to play roughly on the back of fierce support from home fans, South Korea's players need to maintain composure rather than overreact to officiating decisions. Unnecessary nerves or protests could lead to cautions.
Defender Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), who received a caution in the Czech Republic match, could also be restricted from playing in the third group-stage match against South Africa if he receives another caution. Meanwhile, starting from this tournament, the number of yellow cards leading to a suspension remains two as before, but one caution is erased once each in the round of 32 and the quarterfinals.
