Jesus Valenzuela will take charge of the round-of-32 World Cup encounter between Ivory Coast and Norway on Tuesday evening, with a place in the last-16 on the line for both sides.

Ivory Coast and Norway's road to the knockout stage

Ivory Coast, managed by Emerse Fae, are making history as the side advances to the knockout rounds for the first time in their World Cup history, having reached this stage after finishing second in Group E behind Germany.

Norway also progressed as runners-up, ending Group I in second place behind tournament favourites France, who held off the Vikings across three group matches.

Valenzuela's credentials and record

The Venezuelan referee, 42, arrives at this fixture with considerable experience. Valenzuela previously officiated two matches at the 2026 group stage — Australia's win over Turkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina's heavy defeat of Qatar — and handled two matches at the 2022 edition in Qatar, including England and USA's 0-0 draw and France's 3-1 victory over Poland.

His international CV extends further: Valenzuela has refereed at three Copa America tournaments, the Olympics, and the FIFA Club World Cup on two occasions.

However, his disciplinary record demands attention. Across 387 professional matches, Valenzuela has issued 1,908 yellow cards and handed out 115 red cards — a statistic that underlines his reputation for strict officiating.

Compatriots Jose Urrego and Tulio Moreno will assist him as linesman, while Paraguayan pair Juan Gabriel Benitez and Eduardo Cardozo are assigned to VAR duties.

The winner faces Brazil

Whoever advances from Tuesday's match will meet Brazil in the last-16 at New York New Jersey Stadium on 5 July. Carlo Ancelotti's side secured their spot with a 2-1 victory over Japan at Houston Stadium on Monday evening, snatching the win late in the contest.