EXCLUSIVE: England's last 16 clash with Senegal is set to be refereed by Ivan Barton, a 31-year-old organic chemistry professor from El Salvador who impressed FIFA with his handling of Germany's 2-1 loss to Japan at just his first World Cup
- Ivan Barton will oversee England's meeting with Senegal on Sunday evening
- The 31-year-old referee is also a professor of organic chemistry from El Salvador
- Barton is the third-youngest referee in Qatar and is at his first World Cup finals
- Gareth Southgate has warned his side against complacency against Senegal
England's showdown with Senegal is set to be refereed by Ivan Barton, a 31-year-old University of El Salvador professor in organic chemistry.
Barton, who is officiating his first World Cup, oversaw Germany's 2-1 loss to Japan and Brazil's 1-0 win over Switzerland.
FIFA were so impressed by his handling of those big teams that they have now given him the grandest game of his career, with confirmation of Barton's appointment expected today.
![Ivan Barton will referee England's last 16 meeting with Senegal on Sunday evening at Al Bayt](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/23/65192435-11497061-image-a-6_1670025058785.jpg)
Ivan Barton will referee England's last 16 meeting with Senegal on Sunday evening at Al Bayt
![The 31-year-old impressed FIFA with his handling of Japan's shock 2-1 win over Germany](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/00/65192635-11497061-image-a-22_1670025930647.jpg)
The 31-year-old impressed FIFA with his handling of Japan's shock 2-1 win over Germany
Sportsmail understands Barton will be joined on the line by American assistant, Kathryn Nesbitt, who is also an analytical chemist and one of the few female officials at this World Cup. The other assistant will be David Moran of El Salvador.
![Gareth Southgate's side are unbeaten so far](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/23/65192437-11497061-image-a-12_1670025354542.jpg)
Gareth Southgate's side are unbeaten so far
Barton is the third-youngest referee at the tournament at just 31 years old, but has already taken charge of games at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Under-17 World Cup.
Also at the youth tournament in Brazil was Three Lions star Phil Foden, who has one goal so far from two appearances in Qatar.
England qualified top of Group B after an emphatic 3-0 win over Wales, having been held 0-0 by USA and thrashed Iran 6-2.
Gareth Southgate's side will take on the Africa Cup of Nations champions at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Three Lions have in fact already played at the stadium, although they will hope for a better result than the goalless stalemate with Gregg Berhalter's USA team.
Senegal scraped through to the second round of the world Cup with a 2-1 win over Ecuador in their final game, behind Holland who progressed as group leaders.
Despite losing talisman Sadio Mane in the run up to the competition, the Lions of Teranga scored five goals in three games to make the second round.
![Aliou Cisse's AFCON-winning side qualified second in Group A after a 2-1 victory over Ecuador](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/23/65192495-11497061-image-a-10_1670025326814.jpg)
Aliou Cisse's AFCON-winning side qualified second in Group A after a 2-1 victory over Ecuador
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over