Italian referee Maurizio Mariani to take charge of Brazil vs Japan in Houston

Maurizio Mariani will referee Brazil’s round of 32 meeting with Japan at the NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, the Italian’s third assignment at the tournament.

Mariani, 44, previously took charge of Uruguay’s 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in Group H and Colombia’s 1-0 victory over DR Congo. He has issued four yellow cards across those two matches and is yet to show a red card this summer. Most recently, he officiated the UEFA Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.

He will be assisted by fellow Italians Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni as assistant referees at the NRG Stadium. Switzerland’s Sando Schaerer takes on fourth official duties, with Stephane De Almeida serving as the reserve official. Details of the VAR crew had not been confirmed at the time of writing.

Brazil arrive in Houston having topped Group C with two wins and a draw. Japan, their opponents, also went unbeaten in the group stage, drawing with the Netherlands and Sweden either side of a 4-0 win over Tunisia to finish second in Group F.

The match is the first of a Monday triple-header at the tournament. Germany face Paraguay in Boston later in the day, before the Netherlands and Morocco meet in Monterrey.

The round of 32 got under way on Sunday when co-hosts Canada edged South Africa 1-0, Stephen Eustaquio’s injury-time strike proving the difference under Jesse Marsch.