Michael Oliver Loses $100,000 World Cup Bonus as England Reaches 2026 Semifinal

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 14

Michael Oliver and fellow English referee Anthony Taylor were ruled out of both World Cup semifinals after England advanced, ending their tournament assignments before the final four.
FIFA bars officials from working matches involving their home country or games that could directly affect that country's next-round path, which also excludes the pair from Spain vs. France.
Oliver had already handled four matches in the 2026 tournament, most recently Spain's quarterfinal against Belgium, and semifinal and final appointments would have pushed his pay above $100,000 with bonuses.
England's semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday carries extra historical weight, reviving a rivalry shaped by the 1982 Falklands War and Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal in 1986.