FIFA appointed referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio to take charge of the opening game of the 2026 World Cup. The duel between Mexico and South Africa takes place this Thursday, June 11, at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City. Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia complete the Brazilian refereeing trio. The choice reinforces Brazil’s presence in the main football tournament on the planet.
The match marks the beginning of the edition with 48 teams. The time is set for 4pm in the Brasília time zone. The Azteca, one of the most traditional football venues, hosts the Group A clash. Brazil will be highlighted from the first official whistle of the World Cup.
FIFA confirms Brazilian trio for inaugural duel
Wilton Pereira Sampaio acts as main referee. Assistants Bruno Pires, from Goiás, and Bruno Boschilia, from Paraná, form the team. The designation came directly from the FIFA arbitration commission. The announcement took place in the days before the tournament.
Wilton from Goiás has accumulated experience in World Cups. He participated in the 2018 World Cup as a VAR and acted as a field judge in 2022, including in a quarter-final. This will be his third consecutive appearance. Bruno Pires was also in Qatar alongside Wilton. Bruno Boschilia completes the group with experience in international competitions.
- Wilton Pereira Sampaio (main referee, Goiás)
- Bruno Pires (assistant 1, Goiás)
- Bruno Boschilia (assistant 2, Paraná)
The lineup represents pride for national arbitration. Other Brazilians such as Raphael Claus and Ramon Abatti Abel are also part of the tournament. The presence reinforces the recognition of the Brazilian team by the highest football entity.
Wilton Pereira Sampaio’s trajectory on the international scene
Born in Teresina de Goiás, Wilton is 44 years old and has been a member of the FIFA team since 2013. He led the Brazilian Cup finals and played in the Libertadores, Sudamericana and Qualifiers. At the 2022 World Cup, he refereed four games, with a good overall performance despite occasional criticism in one match.
The accumulated experience helps in preparing for the Azteca. The stadium has already hosted World Cup finals and has a great historical significance. Wilton and his assistants have worked together on recent occasions, which makes it easier to get along on the field. FIFA usually chooses experienced trios for high-visibility games like the opening.
The referee from Goiás commented in previous interviews about the importance of treating each game as a final. This mentality should prevail in the tournament’s debut. Brazil will also have other refereeing representatives throughout the competition weeks.
Mexico vs South Africa match details
The clash opens Group A. Mexico has the support of the local fans and is looking for a good start at home. South Africa returns to the World Cup after a 16-year absence and arrives motivated. Azteca should receive a significant crowd for the kickoff.
The match takes on a special shape due to the choice of referee. An all-Brazilian trio on the field in the first round symbolizes FIFA’s confidence. Line assistants will play a fundamental role in controlling the sides and offsides in a game that tends to be competitive.
- Mexico seeks positive debut as host country
- South Africa aims for surprise in the competition
- Azteca Stadium with maximum expected capacity
- Live broadcast to Brazil from 4pm
Preparation of Brazilian arbitration for the World Cup
The CBF and FIFA invest in specific training for referees. Physical tests, video analysis and simulations of game situations are part of the routine. Wilton, Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia follow strict protocols to maintain high performance.
Other Brazilians complete the list. Raphael Claus and Ramon Abatti Abel act as central referees, while additional assistants provide coverage. The national arbitration delegation is one of the most numerous. This demonstrates the technical level reached by the group.
The opening trio has a history of performing together. This familiarity reduces the risk of miscommunication during the game. FIFA monitors performance in real time and can adjust lineups in subsequent rounds depending on the results.
Expectations for performance at Azteca
Thursday’s game gains global spotlight. The choice of the Brazilian trio signals confidence in dealing with fan pressure and high expectations. Mexico enters as the natural favorite as hosts, but South Africa promises to compete with intensity.
Wilton Pereira Sampaio reaches the third World Cup in good shape. His assistants also bring recent experience. The focus is on accurate rule application and game flow. The opening usually sets the tone for the rest of the tournament in terms of refereeing.
The Brazilian presence from the first minute reinforces the image of the country’s arbitration abroad. Fans and federations closely follow the trio’s performance. The result of the match still depends on what happens on the field, but the lineup is already a milestone.
