Wilton Sampaio

Wilton Sampaio is a Brazilian football referee. He has been involved in officiating matches at major international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup. While not explicitly mentioned in the provided snippets, referees like Sampaio are crucial to the smooth running of such high-stakes competitions. His recent noteworthiness stems from his officiating duties in significant World Cup matches. For instance, he was the referee for a dramatic World Cup match where Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to advance to the last 16. This match, which ended 1-1 after extra time, highlighted the intense pressure and critical decisions referees face. Sampaio's role in such a pivotal game, involving a penalty shootout and significant outcomes for the participating nations, underscores his current relevance and the scrutiny under which top referees operate during global tournaments. The general context of the 2026 World Cup, with its own set of talking points like red cards and VAR, further emphasizes the importance of experienced officials like Sampaio.