French referee Francois Letexier will be in charge of the high-stakes Group H encounter between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia at the FIFA World Cup, with the game set to kick off at 7pm local time at Houston's NRG Stadium.

Both sides still have a chance to advance — either as a second-place finisher or as one of the best third-placed teams — but the two paths are mutually exclusive, meaning at least one nation will be boarding a flight home when the final whistle blows.

One of Europe's finest

Letexier, 37, is widely considered among the continent's elite officials. He made history two years ago as the youngest referee ever to oversee a European Championship final, taking charge of Spain's triumph over England in that showpiece occasion.

More recently, he officiated Aston Villa's Europa League final victory over Freiburg last month, further cementing his reputation at the highest level of the game.

This Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia tie will be Letexier's second assignment at this World Cup. His previous appearance came when Ivory Coast edged Ecuador 1-0 in the group stage.

Full officiating team

Letexier will be flanked by two fellow Frenchmen on the touchlines: Mehdi Rahmouni and Cyril Mugnier serve as his assistant referees. South Africa's Abongile Tom takes up the fourth official role, with compatriot Zahele Siwela on standby as the reserve official.

VAR appointments for the match are yet to be confirmed.

Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia's game runs simultaneously with Uruguay vs Spain, which kicks off at the same time across the border in Mexico.