Wilton Sampaio: England’s World Cup quarter-final match against France will be a watershed moment for Gareth Southgate’s team.
The Three Lions hope to erase 56 years of significant tournament heartbreak with a World Cup title, but they know they must first beat the reigning champions.
France will pose a severe danger to England – after all, they have Kylian Mbappe – but there is always the uncertainty of the refereeing and VAR teams on duty. Some officials like a fluid game, while others take a no-nonsense attitude to needless violence – it all depends on who you get.
Wilton Sampaio will be outfitted with a notepad, headset, and whistle for this game.
Who exactly is Wilton Sampaio?
Sampaio, 40, has been a FIFA-listed official since 2013, after establishing himself as one of the finest referees in Brazil’s Serie A.
Some fans may remember him as the official who awarded Saudi Arabia a disputed penalty against Poland in the group stages, despite VAR monitor replays indicating little to no contact on Saleh Al-Shehri.
Sampaio is officiating in his first World Cup, having only worked at the 2018 tournament to ensure the new-at-the-time VAR system runs correctly.
There is no adverse history between England and Sampaio, and he has yet to referee a game in which France has participated.
England vs. France in the World Cup quarterfinals: Team news, lineups, and predictions
Sampaio, Wilton
Wilton Sampaio sanctions Saudi Arabia against Poland.
Wilton Sampaio has officiated in which matches at the 2022 World Cup?
As previously stated, Sampaio was the referee in charge of Saudi Arabia’s group-stage match against Poland. He controversially gave Herve Renard’s side a penalty but leveled the playing field by failing to dismiss Aston Villa full-back Matty Cash when a second yellow card was justified.
Sampaio also officiated the Netherlands’ group stage victory over Senegal before taking command of the Oranje’s 3-1 round-of-16 victory over the United States. He has so far issued ten yellow cards.
Who will be the assistant referees for England’s match vs. France?
The whole officiating team for England’s match against France is as follows:
Boschilia, Bruno (Assistant referee)
Pires, Bruno (Assistant referee)
Abdulla Mohammed Mohammed (Fourth official)
Gallo, Nicolas (VAR)
Martinez, Juan (Assistant VAR)
Back Neuza (Offside VAR)
Hernandez, Alejandro (Support VAR)
