World Cup 2026: Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti appointed for Egypt’s opener against Belgium

The FIFA Referees Committee has confirmed the officiating teams for several matches in the opening round of the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti set to take charge of Egypt’s highly anticipated clash against Belgium.

Brazilian Official Gets the Nod

Egypt will begin its World Cup campaign against Belgium on Monday in one of the standout fixtures of the opening round of the tournament.

The match, scheduled to be played at Le Médine Stadium, is expected to attract significant attention as both nations look to make a strong start in their quest for a place in the knockout stages.

To oversee the encounter, FIFA has appointed 36-year-old Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti as the centre official.

Full Officiating Team Confirmed

Abatti will be assisted by fellow Brazilians Danilo Manis and Rafael Alves, who have been assigned as the first and second assistant referees, respectively.

Peruvian referee, Kevin Ortega, will serve as the fourth official, while Michael Ori has been appointed as the fifth official for the match.

Crucial Opening Test for Egypt

The fixture marks the beginning of Egypt’s journey at the 2026 World Cup and represents one of the toughest opening assignments for the Pharaohs.

With Belgium considered among the strongest teams in the group, Egypt will be eager to secure a positive result and build momentum for the remainder of the tournament.

The appointment of an experienced South American officiating team adds another layer of intrigue to what promises to be one of the most closely watched matches of the first round.