Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh will officiate the match, with Mohammad Al-Kalaf and Ahmad Al-Roalle as assistant referees. | Photo Credit: AFP

Spain will begin its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Cape Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15.

The Group H fixture will mark Cape Verde’s first-ever match at the World Cup, while Spain enters the tournament as the reigning European champion.

Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh will officiate the match, with compatriots Mohammad Al-Kalaf and Ahmad Al-Roalle as assistant referees.

Who is Adham Makhadmeh and what’s his refereeing record?

Adham Makhadmeh is a Jordanian referee who has been on FIFA’s international list since 2013. The 39-year-old was born in Irbid, Jordan, and has been part of several AFC and FIFA competitions over the past decade.

The Spain vs Cape Verde match will be Makhadmeh’s first match as a referee at the senior FIFA World Cup. He has earlier officiated at the Tokyo Olympics and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland in 2019.

At club level, Makhadmeh has taken charge of more than 55 AFC Champions League matches, including the 2017 final between Al Hilal and Urawa Red Diamonds. According to BeSoccer data cited by AS, he has averaged 4.61 yellow cards per match this season, which suggests he is not a referee who hesitates to go to his pocket when required.

Full list of officials for Spain vs Cape Verde match on June 15:

• Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
• Assistant Referee 1: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (Jordan)
• Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Al-Roalle (Jordan)
• Fourth Official: Andres Rojas (Colombia)
• Video Assistant Referee: Joseph Dickerson (USA)

Published on Jun 15, 2026