Wilton Pereira Sampaio will referee Fluminense x Vasco on Wednesday, August 5, in the return leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16, with kick-off set for 21:30 Brazilian time at the Maracanã. It is a high-pressure appointment for one of the most experienced names in the CBF and Fifa systems.
The 44-year-old arrives with a long record in major matches and finals. Born in Teresina de Goiás on December 28, 1981, he entered the Escola de Arbitragem da Federação de Futebol do Distrito Federal at the age of 15, before moving into the elite levels of Brazilian and international refereeing.
A referee used to the biggest stages
Sampaio’s background explains why he has been trusted with a fixture of this size. He was named best referee in the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2012 and officiated the Copa do Brasil final that same year, before joining the Fifa refereeing roster in 2013.
His experience has only grown since then. He also took charge of the Copa do Brasil final in 2019, and in 2022 he again officiated the competition’s final while also handling four matches at the Copa do Mundo de 2022.
Why the appointment matters
For a knockout tie such as Fluminense x Vasco, the referee appointment always carries added weight. The margin for error is small, and the pressure increases as the return leg approaches its decisive moments.
The choice of Sampaio underlines the expectation that the match will be handled by someone accustomed to intensity, scrutiny and high-level decision-making. In 2026, he also officiated México x África do Sul at the opening of the World Cup and led the Brazilian refereeing team at the Copa do Mundo de 2026, further strengthening that profile.
On Wednesday, the focus will be on the football, but the appointment itself is part of the story. Fluminense and Vasco now know who will be in charge when the Copa do Brasil tie resumes at the Maracanã.
