FIFA through their X acount have officially announced the match officials appointed for the opening four matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the tournament opener between Mexico national football team and South Africa national football team.
The match officials are as follows:
- Referee: Wilton Sampaio
- Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Pires
- Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia
- Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Benitez
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Eduardo Cardozo
- Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo
Softfootball understands that the announcement quickly generated major online reactions following reports that Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States at Miami airport over vetting concerns, resulting in his removal from the tournament officiating team.
FIFA revealed:
The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup matches 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been appointed.
Artan had recently been named CAF’s 2025 Men’s Referee of the Year and was the only Somali official selected for the World Cup.
The situation sparked widespread criticism from football supporters on social media, with many urging FIFA to publicly address the issue. Several fans argued that the incident contradicts the tournament’s message of global inclusion and fairness, particularly with the United States serving as one of the tournament’s co-hosts.
An X user Abdi Barre Ahmed in his comments, questioned the decision and the unity in football:
Why was Omar Artan denied entry into the United States when other people in the same position as him were allowed to enter? As FIFA, what do you have to say about the situation involving Referee Omar Artan? If football is truly a global game that promotes inclusion and unity….
Another user Apdirizak Ahmed expressed his displeasure in denying Artan his rights, asking for fairness.
It is shameful to see you announcing match officials while Omar Artan, your own CAF 2025 Best Referee, is being unfairly blocked from the US. Where is the justice? He earned his spot through struggle and merit—he doesn’t deserve to be turned away. Grant him entry!
However, FIFA recently highlighted several major player milestones ahead of the competition, including Lionel Messi potentially extending his World Cup appearance record after already playing 26 matches across five tournaments. FIFA also noted that Luka Modrić could reach both 200 international appearances and another historic World Cup milestone during the tournament.
