FIFA World Cup 2022 Group C is playing its second round of matches. Poland and Saudi Arabia are currently facing each other in Education City Stadium in Doha, with the match being officiated by the Brazilian crew led by referee Wilton Sampaio, assistants Brunco Boschilia and Bruno Pires and Peruvian fourth referee Kevin Ortega. 

The match is crucial for both Poland and Saudi Arabia, more particularly the latter, because this match will be a determinant if the Saudi’s will clinch a berth in the knockout round. The team last had a face off in 2006, when Poland swept victory by a 2-1. 

Saudi ranks at the top of Group C, after their surprising victory against Argentina in the opener. Poland on the other hand is on the second, after securing a draw against Mexico with a 1-1.

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This is Sampaio’s second match in the tournament, as he previously refereed the Netherlands vs. Senegal match. 

Who is Wilton Sampaio?

Wilton Sampaio was born on December 28, 1981 in Teresina de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil

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Sampaio was elected as the best referee in the 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A championships. He was also awarded the international armband by FIFA in 2013

The Sun revealed that the referee is synonymous to yellow card in his home country Brazil, handing them out on every possible occasion. 

He officiated three Copa Libertadores matches last season, in which he handed out fourteen yellow cards and one red card. In the two Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A matches, he produced a total of twelve yellow cards. 

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The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia was Sampaio’s first-ever gig at this international tournament. Before this, he had officiated international matches at U17 and U15 level. 

He joined as a Video Assisting referee (VAR), through the Brazilian league was unfamiliar with this. He was selected as a VAR after he aced the VAR seminars.