Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho will take charge of Croatia's Group L clash against Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the match kicking off at 12:00am British time at Toronto Stadium.

Both sides arrive at this fixture having lost their opening group games. Croatia fell 4-2 to England in a rematch of their 2018 World Cup semi-final, while Panama suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ghana. England and Ghana drew 0-0 in the other Group L fixture on the same evening, leaving all four nations with their fates wide open.

Atcho's officiating team

Atcho will be assisted by fellow Gabonese officials Boris Ditsoga and Amos Abeigne Ndong, who serve as his assistant referees. Egypt's Amin Mohamed takes on the role of fourth official, while Australia's Jarred Gillett assumes VAR responsibilities.

Atcho's credentials

The 33-year-old brings significant continental experience to the role, having officiated at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. At the 2026 edition of the competition, Atcho refereed the Senegal vs Egypt semi-final — a tie Senegal won 1-0 — and oversaw Egypt's 3-1 victory over Benin in a match that stretched beyond 90 minutes.

His statistics at that AFCON are notable: he averaged over 4.5 bookings per game and issued a penalty or red card once every 2.5 games.

Atcho has already featured at the 2026 World Cup, officiating Norway's 4-1 defeat of Iraq — a game that included an Erling Haaland brace.

With Croatia and Panama both desperate to open their points tally in Group L, Atcho will have his hands full managing a fixture in which neither side can afford another defeat.