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WORLD CUP 2022

Who is the referee for Qatar - Ecuador in the World Cup 2022 opening game?

Who is Daniele Orsato, the referee for the World Cup opening game?

Joe Brennan
ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 06: Referee Daniele Orsato gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on November 6, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
DeFodi ImagesGetty

The unique World Cup 2022 opening ceremony has quickly given way to Qatar taking on Ecuador. The referee for the opening game of the World Cup is the Italian Daniele Orsato, who has been a top-level referee in Italy and Europe for over a decade.

The Serie A referee has a huge card-per-game average this season, at 5 cards per match, which could make for an interesting dynamic. He also has a huge 0.25 red card per game this season in the domestic league.

Orsato is award winning - and strict

Born in Vicenza, Orsato was a VAR official in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, so he will have no problems going to the screen should the need occur in the tournament. He was named referee of the year by the IFFHS two years later and took charge of Real Madrid’s historic Champions League comeback victory against Manchester City in the 21-22 season. The referee, deemed unforgiving by some, also oversaw Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to PSG at the Parc de Princes. He was a teacher before becoming a referee, which might explain his strict reputation.

Who is the VAR referee for Qatar - Ecuador?

The two assistants are Ciro Carbone and Alessandro Giallatini; the VAR officials are Massimiliano Irrati and Paolo Valeri.