Tantashev’s style could shape the contest. The report describes the Uzbekistan official as someone who generally allows play to continue through minor contact rather than stopping the game repeatedly.
His reported disciplinary averages underline that approach:
That profile may favour a fast, physical match, particularly if both teams press aggressively and challenge for second balls. Algeria and Austria will need to adjust quickly to the threshold Tantashev sets in the opening stages.
The appointment comes after Tantashev reportedly faced criticism during Scotland’s match against Morocco. Scottish players and supporters questioned decisions over penalty appeals involving John McGinn and Scott McTominay, while another incident remained contentious after the final whistle.
Those episodes do not define his record, but they place extra focus on penalty-area contact in a match where one decision could alter the qualification picture. Tantashev’s recent tournament experience is otherwise significant: the report says he officiated at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including a semi-final, and was a fourth official for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final.
He is expected to work with fellow Uzbekistan officials Andrey Tsapenko and Timur Gaynullin, with Katia Garcia reportedly named as fourth official.
The appointment should give both camps a clear tactical message: avoid needless confrontations, defend the box cleanly and adapt to a referee who prefers continuity. With Algeria and Austria level on three points, the next storyline will be whether the match is decided by attacking quality-or by the moments Tantashev is asked to judge.