Michael Oliver Will Officiate Italy versus Turkiye Match
The 41-year-old English referee is assigned to Monday’s Nations League fixture in Bursa.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Soccer
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UEFA has appointed Michael Oliver to referee the Nations League match between Italy and Turkiye on Monday. The game will take place at the Ataturk Spor Kompleski Matli Stadyumu in Bursa at 19.45 UK time.
Why it matters
Both teams are looking to rebound after difficult starts in their opening fixtures, as Italy lost 2-0 to Belgium and Turkiye fell 1-0 to France.
Michael Oliver, 41, leads the officiating crew, supported by assistant referees Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. The VAR team for the fixture consists of Stuart Attwell and Matthew Donahue.
The players
Michael Oliver
He is a 41-year-old English professional football referee who officiates in the Premier League and international matches.
Gianluigi Buffon
He is a legendary Italian goalkeeper who famously accused Michael Oliver of having a dustbin for a heart in 2018.
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations is the administrative body for football, futsal, and beach soccer in Europe.
The details
The match will be held in Bursa as both nations attempt to recover from recent tournament losses. Michael Oliver is a familiar face to Italian football, having previously officiated an Italy 2-2 draw with Armenia and a 0-0 friendly match against Ireland.
Timeline
The match between Italy and Turkiye takes place on Monday at 19.45 UK time.
Michael Oliver previously refereed an Italy 2-2 draw with Armenia in October 2013.
Oliver oversaw an Italy 0-0 friendly draw with Ireland in May 2014.
In April 2018, Gianluigi Buffon criticized Oliver after a Champions League match.
Season Trajectory
This appointment marks a significant moment in the Nations League group stage as both Italy and Turkiye attempt to stabilize their standing after opening losses. The officiating performance will be under scrutiny as teams seek to avoid further point deficits early in the competition.
Italy enters this match following a 2-0 defeat to Belgium, while Turkiye seeks to improve upon their 1-0 loss to France. The match result will determine which side secures their first points in the current Nations League group standings.
The takeaway
Fans should note that both teams are under pressure to secure a result following disappointing opening performances. Managing discipline will be crucial as the match unfolds under the oversight of an experienced international referee.
Further reading
For more background on ongoing international competitions, visit our Soccer section.
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