FIFA Names Referees for the World Cup's Opening Fixtures

FIFA has confirmed the match officials who will take charge of the first games of the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11. The appointments are the first to be announced for the tournament and cover the opening round of fixtures across the three host nations.

Brazil's Wilton Sampaio has been selected to referee the curtain-raiser between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. It is not the first time he has overseen a Mexico fixture, having previously done so during the Copa América Centenario.

Officials for the other early matches have also been named: Amin Mohamed takes charge of South Korea against Czechia, Argentina's Facundo Tello will referee Canada versus Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Netherlands' Danny Makkelie has been appointed for the United States' opener with Paraguay.

The selections are drawn from the full officiating contingent FIFA confirmed earlier in the year — a pool of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees assembled for the expanded 48-team tournament.

Sources: FIFA — Match officials appointed for World Cup 2026 · ESPN — World Cup 2026 referees: complete list