Rafael Rodrigo Klein will be the referee for Fortaleza vs Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil on Wednesday, August 5, with kickoff set for 9:30 p.m. Brasília time at Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá. The appointment puts the FIFA-listed official in charge of a knockout match that already carries added attention.
The CBF confirmed the selection of Klein for the return leg, giving one of its most experienced referees the assignment in a game that is expected to draw scrutiny. Fortaleza and Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil have already been connected to referee debate in the past, and that background makes this call especially notable.
Who is Rafael Rodrigo Klein?
Klein was born on March 28, 1990, in Poço das Antas, Rio Grande do Sul. He completed the refereeing course of the FGF in 2012 and began officiating official state matches in 2014. His career moved up another level in 2021, when he joined the CBF refereeing panel.
His rise continued in October 2022, when he made his Série A debut in Athletico-PR vs Fortaleza. In 2023, he was named the best referee of the Campeonato Gaúcho and worked 36 CBF matches, a sign of how quickly he established himself within the national setup.
FIFA recognition and the next test
In 2024, Klein was added to FIFA's international referee list, further strengthening his profile on the Brazilian and international stage. That experience is part of why he has been trusted with a match like Fortaleza vs Palmeiras, where the stakes are higher and every major decision is likely to be closely watched.
For Fortaleza and Palmeiras, the focus is on the result in Cuiabá. For Klein, the assignment is another important test in a career that has moved from state matches to the top tier of Brazilian football and now into FIFA-level recognition.
