FIFA has appointed experienced Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio to officiate the opening match of FIFA World Cup 2026 between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
The highly anticipated Group A encounter will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the tournament opener on Thursday, 11 June.
Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time).
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Rose through the ranks
Sampaio, 44, is one of South America’s most experienced match officials and has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2013.
The Brazilian began refereeing at the age of 15 before qualifying as an official in BrasÃlia in 2000.
Representing the Federação Goiana de Futebol, Sampaio steadily rose through the ranks and was recognised as one of the standout referees in Brazil’s top flight, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
His international experience includes serving as a video assistant referee during the 2018 FIFA World Cup before taking charge of matches at both the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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High-profile fixture
Sampaio’s appointment for the opening match underlines FIFA’s confidence in his ability to handle one of the tournament’s most high-profile fixtures.
Football officiating runs in the family, with his younger brother, Sávio Pereira Sampaio, also serving on FIFA’s international referees list since 2022.
All eyes will be on Sampaio when he blows the first whistle of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, with South Africa hoping to begin their campaign with a positive result against the tournament hosts.
FIFA has yet to confirm the officials for Bafana Bafana’s remaining Group A fixtures against Czech Republic and South Korea.
Bafana Bafana’s Group A FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures
- Thursday, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 21:00 (SA time)
- Thursday, 18 June: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 18:00 (SA time)
- Thursday, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe – 03:00 (SA time)
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