Who is Wilton Sampaio? The referee for the Netherlands vs Morocco? The final match in a Monday triple-header pits the three-time runners-up against the 2022 semi-finalists FourFourTwo · Jun 30
Who is the referee for Norway vs Senegal? The referee has already made headlines with a number of red cards during this World Cup FourFourTwo · Jun 22
Mexico Opens the 2026 World Cup With a 2–0 Win Over South Africa — and Three Red Cards Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored, while three players were sent off in a match that made World Cup history. Latin Times · Jun 12
World Cup refcam offers new perspective to hint at future of football broadcasting Usage in opening matches focused on replays of goals from a unique angle, offering the viewer greater depth to watch from home The Guardian - UK · Jun 12
Nobody knew what the ref was saying and the internet loved it. World Cup's first meme is here 'Wait, what?': Players were left speechless as the referee explained the VAR decision in an apparent shaky English after a controversial red card. Euronews · Jun 12
World Cup 2026: Red card punishment explained as opening game is overshadowed History was made in tournament opener - but for all the wrong reasons Evening Standard · Jun 12
Everything you missed from day one at World Cup 2026: Jimenez’s tears, hydration break controversy and empty seats Mexico got the World Cup underway with a 2-0 win over South Africa but the match was undermined by three red cards, while South Korea downed Czech Republic to go level with the co-hosts at the top of Group A The Independent UK · Jun 12
Mexico beats South Africa and Czechia loses to South Korea in World Cup opening matches Julián Quiñones scored the opening goal of the tournament after nine minutes and 35-year-old striker Raúl Jiménez headed in Mexico's second goal in a 2-0 opening game against South Africa that produced three red cards. Euronews · Jun 12
Three red cards in World Cup opening game - why were South Africa and Mexico players sent off? A record-breaking number of red cards put a controversial spin on the opening game Evening Standard · Jun 11
Who is the referee for Mexico vs South Africa? The Mexico vs South Africa has been confirmed, as World Cup 2026 kicks off FourFourTwo · Jun 11
World Cup 2022 final verdict - highs and lows, best goals, heroes, and villains England manager Gareth Southgate may have missed out on glory but the Three Lions are set to be crowned the most sporting team so are definitely heroes Daily Mirror · Dec 18, 2022
Pierluigi Collina picks World Cup final ref as England vs France official discovers fate FIFA have confirmed which referee will be given the World Cup final between France and Argentina after a string of controversies punctuated the knockout stages in Qatar Daily Mirror · Dec 15, 2022
Lionel Messi and Harry Maguire proved right as most controversial World Cup referee revealed Two World Cup quarter-final referees in particular came under heavy scrutiny over the weekend as England battled France and Lionel Messi's Argentina defeated Netherlands Football London · Dec 13, 2022
England vs France referee learns World Cup fate amid Lionel Messi and Harry Maguire concerns World Cup news: Referees remaining in Qatar for the final four matches of the tournament have been chosen after a controversial set of quarter-final ties ended with criticism over some decisions made by officials Football London · Dec 13, 2022
The National (Scotland) · Dec 12, 2022 If Scotland suffered identical England heartache I'd be fuming, admits ex-ref Wilton Sampaio angered many of those who support England with some of his officiating on Saturday night vs France.
Evening Standard · Dec 12, 2022 England vs France referee Wilton Sampaio in line for World Cup final despite criticism Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio, who officiated Saturday’s quarter-final between England and France, is in line to take charge of the World Cup Final.
Daily Mirror · Dec 12, 2022 FIFA make thoughts clear on England vs France referee with World Cup response Wilton Sampaio was widely criticised for his performance during England's defeat to France in the quarter-finals, but he is not part of the latest group of referees to be sent home from the World Cup
Daily Mirror · Dec 11, 2022 Jude Bellingham lays into referee Wilton Sampaio for England vs France performance Wilton Sampaio was not popular with England's players after a series of bizarre refereeing decisions in their World Cup exit at the hands of defending champions France
Daily Mirror · Dec 11, 2022 Kate Beckinsale leads celebs slamming England World Cup referee as she posts angry video Actress Kate Beckinsale has joined a long list of celebs questioning some key decisions made by referee Wilton Samprio during last night's quarter-final clash against France, which led to defeat for the Three Lions
Daily Mirror · Dec 11, 2022 Why France's Theo Hernandez wasn't sent off for giving away England penalty in World Cup clash France defender Theo Hernandez was booked after conceding a late penalty against England in the World Cup - and the reasons behind referee Wilton Sampaio's decision have now emerged
Manchester Evening News · Dec 11, 2022 ‘Actually incredible’ - Manchester United defender Harry Maguire slams ‘really poor’ referee in England vs France The defender was critical of Wilton Sampaio's display, saying he got the "big decisions wrong".
Football London · Dec 11, 2022 Harry Maguire agrees with Lionel Messi as England hammer referee following France World Cup loss World Cup news: England vent frustrations at Wilton Sampaio after early Saka decision in loss to France
Daily Mirror · Dec 11, 2022 Furious Harry Maguire gives scathing assessment of referee after England's loss to France The England centre-back was left seething in the aftermath of the World Cup quarter final defeat by France due to the poor performance of referee Wilton Sampaio
The Guardian - UK · Dec 11, 2022 ‘That was a great performance’: fans praise England despite defeat Regulars watching World Cup quarter-final in a London pub find positives for future in team’s strong performance
Daily Mirror · Dec 11, 2022 England always have an excuse for World Cup exits but France defeat carries no shame ENGLAND 1-2 FRANCE: The Three Lions suffered World Cup heartbreak in places like Saint-Etienne, Gelsenkirchen and now Doha after Les Bleus edged out a close encounter