Who is Wilton Sampaio? Referee for Netherlands vs Morocco

The Netherlands vs Morocco round of 16 match at the 2026 World Cup will be officiated by Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio. Sampaio gained notoriety during the tournament's opening match when he issued three red cards in Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa. He sent off South Africa's Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, as well as Mexico's Cesar Montes. His other match in the tournament was a quieter affair, overseeing Norway's 3-2 win over Senegal without any cards.

Sampaio, 44, is no stranger to high-profile matches. He previously refereed the England vs France quarter-final at the 2022 World Cup, where England lost 2-1, sparking controversy over some of his decisions. For the Netherlands vs Morocco match, Sampaio will be assisted by fellow Brazilians Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia. The fourth official is Chile's Cristian Garay, with Jose Retamal as the reserve official.

The Netherlands topped Group F after a 2-2 draw with Japan and emphatic wins over Sweden and Tunisia. Morocco finished second in Group C behind Brazil, also with two wins and a draw. This match is considered one of the most exciting ties of the knockout stage.

Sampaio's aggressive refereeing style, especially his three red cards in the opening match, suggests this game could be physical. Both teams possess strong attacking threats, and Sampaio's tendency to show cards could influence the outcome. Football pundits are eager to see how he handles this crucial encounter.

The match will be played in Monterrey, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals. The Netherlands are among the tournament favorites, while Morocco aims to cause an upset. Sampaio's performance is likely to be as debated as the result itself.