Mexico Vs. New Zealand: FIFA Announces Viktor Kassai And Felix Brych As Referees For Two-Leg World Cup Qualifying Playoff

With a World Cup berth on the line, Mexico and New Zealand are making their final preparations for what promises to be a highly competitive playoff. Taking place over a two-leg slate, the playoff - which begins on November 13 - will truly be a motivational tool for the winner heading into next summer's event for the simple fact that even though each international squad was unable to earn an outright bid, a victory in a do-or-die situation will undoubtedly send them to Brazil on an emotional high.

Needing to finish in the top 3 of the CONCACAF Hexagonal in order to automatically qualify for a spot in the 32-team tournament, Mexico came up short in its attempt to land a definite spot. Finishing behind the United States, Costa Rica and Honduras, El Tri is now forced to take on a New Zealand squad representing the Oceania World Cup Qualifying group. New Zealand finished atop the four-team pool at the end of the third stage, holding off New Caledonia, Tahiti and Soloman Islands, earning a victory in all 6 final round matches. Now set to take on an El Tri squad under the direction of a new head coach, New Zealand hopes to solidify a World Cup berth over a Mexico team that has qualified for five-consecutive tournaments.

While both teams will be expected to be on point throughout the two-leg affair, the FIFA Referees Committee recently announced the respective officiating crews for both matches. The playoff kicks off on November 13 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with Hungarian Viktor Kassai serving as the referee. Hungary natives Gábor Erös and György Ring will serve as assistant referees for the opening leg while István Vad, also of Hungary, will join the crew as the fourth official. Kassai has been a full-time international referee for FIFA since 2003 while also serving as the referee for the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final between Barcelona and Manchester United.

The second leg of the playoff takes place on November 20 and a completely different officiating crew will be used according to FIFA. Set to be played at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, the match between El Tri and New Zealand will be monitored by top referee Felix Brych, a native of Germany who has previously done work in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Euro League.

Brych will be joined by assistant referees Mark Borsch and Stefan Lupp, both who hail from Germany while countryman Marco Fritz serves as fourth official.