Italian referee Mariani chosen for Brazil vs. Japan World Cup match | OneFootball

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani and his assistants have been assigned to the World Cup Round of 32 match between Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil and Japan.

The fixture kicks off in Houston Stadium on Monday at 18.00 UK time (19.00 CEST).

Brazil topped their group after a 1-1 draw with Morocco, then 3-0 victories against both Haiti and Scotland.

Japan were runners up in their group thanks to draws against the Netherlands and Sweden, around a 4-0 thumping of Tunisia.

Mariani given World Cup knockout tie role

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Referee Maurizio Mariani reacts during the Coppa Italia Final match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Mariani is the only Italian referee at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, although Marco Di Bello is also on the group of VAR officials.

So far, he has officiated the 1-1 draw between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, plus Colombia’s 1-0 victory over DR Congo.

He will be wielding the whistle in the Brazil vs. Japan fixture, aided by assistant referees Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni.

The fourth official is Sandro Scharer of Switzerland.

Most recently, Mariani was also given the opportunity to referee the Conference League Final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.