Wilton Sampaio, the Brazilian referee who faced intense criticism from England after their 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France, has been appointed to officiate the opening match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.
Controversial Performance in Qatar
Four years after his contentious display at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sampaio will take charge of the tournament's first fixture on Thursday, June 11. During England's 2-1 loss to France, many fans and players felt Sampaio overlooked key incidents, including fouls on Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane that preceded France's opening goal. Despite awarding two penalties to England, his overall performance drew widespread condemnation.
Reaction from England Camp
Harry Maguire was particularly outspoken after the match, calling the officiating "really poor, very poor" and noting that Sampaio failed to issue a yellow card despite multiple fouls in the first 15 minutes. "For me, it's a foul for the first goal, on Bukayo. I can't really go into explaining how bad his performance really was," Maguire said. Gary Neville, on punditry duty for ITV, described Sampaio as "an absolute joke of a referee" and called his display "rank, bad."
Sampaio's Appointment
Despite the backlash, Sampaio has been handed the honor of officiating the World Cup opener. He will be assisted by fellow Brazilians Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia, with Paraguayan Juan Gabriel Benítez as fourth official. VAR duties will be overseen by Colombian Nicolas Gallo, supported by Frenchman Jerome Brisard and Chilean Juan Lara.
Opening Ceremony and Match Details
The match between Mexico and South Africa kicks off completed at 8pm following an opening ceremony featuring Shakira and Burna Boy, among other musical acts. The tournament promises excitement, but Sampaio's involvement has already sparked debate among English fans.
