THE World Cup is here and Ivan Barton has been announced as one of the referees who will make sure games run smoothly in Qatar.
Barton took charge of Japan’s 2-1 win over Germany and is now in charge for Brazil vs Switzerland in the group stages.
Barton is one of three officials representing Central America at this year’s tournament.
Here is some more information on him.
Ivan Barton was born in Santa Ana in 1991, making him the third-youngest referee at the World Cup, behind Kevin Ortega and Said Martinez.
Barton currently referees in El Salvador’s Primera Division and was appointed as a FIFA referee in 2018.
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The 31-year-old has plenty of experience officiating international tournaments, taking charge of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.
Here, he came across the likes of Manchester city star Phil Foden, who will be in Gareth Southgate’s plans for Qatar.
Aside from football, Barton obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of El Salvador.
He has since become a professor at the institution.
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