Competition
### World Cup
Saudi Arabia and Uruguay clash in their opening World Cup match
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Group H of the World Cup kicks off as Uruguay and Saudi Arabia go head-to-head.
Meeting once more at the World Cup, two-time champions Uruguay aim to defeat Saudi Arabia for the second time in eight years.
But who is the referee overseeing their encounter at Miami Stadium?
Referee confirmed for Uruguay v Saudi Arabia
Maurizio Mariani has been selected as the match official, having been a FIFA-listed referee since 2019 and officiating 430 matches in European and global competitions.
The Italian was also appointed to referee the highly charged Serie A derby between AC Milan and Inter Milan in October 2020, which the latter won 2-1 at the San Siro.
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Mariani also works as a sailor in Italy's merchant navy, and this marks his first major tournament.
Joining Mariani as assistant referees are his fellow countrymen Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni.
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The fourth official at Miami Stadium will be Canadian referee Drew Thomas Fishcher, while Italian Marco Di Bello handles VAR duties, assisted by Ivan Bebek of Croatia.
Interestingly, this match will see the officiating team wear a striking kit, as they will all don 'flamingo pink' shirts as a nod to the host city of Miami.
This is because the southern Florida city is linked to the color pink, owing to the flamingos that once thrived in the area, with David Beckham's Inter Miami side sporting a pink home kit.
"Miami is our base camp, so we thought it would be nice to show our appreciation to the city where we'll live for about two months," said FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina.
"We chose this 'pink flamingo' for the referees' training material. It's a kind of recognition.
"Also, the first match—which will be played in Miami, June 15—Uruguay v Saudi Arabia [Group H], the referee will wear the pink flamingo shirt."
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