KO phase of 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portuguese referee João Pinheiro appointed to South Africa - Canada in the Round of 32 "opener". It will be his second game in the tournament.
Round of 32
28 June 2026, 21:00 CET
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
SOUTH AFRICA - CANADA
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: Omar Al Ali UAE
Reserve AR: Mohamed Al Hammadi UAE
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Rodolpho Toski BRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Hernan Mastrangelo ARG
A very impressive first "quarter" (hate that term) from Pinheiro so far. By far the best I've seen him, looks relaxed, confident and displaying very good personable qualities.
ReplyDeleteHe for sure looks calmer than usual.
DeleteGood positioning overall
Been very impressed with his fitness and positioning. A referee daring to go wide at points, that will never catch on ;)
DeleteQuarter is just a term to describe a period of the game. Agree here with many of the points
Delete- High foul bar, flowing game = FIFA happy
- Fitness and positioning very good, right place at the right time, making the extra effort to be in the optimal position
- A particular sprint to manage a situation that might have escalated on the goal line, right on the spot, good management.
- We have noticed that all referees remain unusually central but this has been consistent.
- Great body language, calm and relaxed compared to some other referees we have seen. Firm and proactive
Easy 1/4 for Pinheiro. Good foul detection and nothing else to report.
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ReplyDeleteGiven the bar for a YC in this tournament I accept no YC but the RSA player is fortunate IMO not to receive one on 38' for a blatant shoulder into the back.
ReplyDeleteAgree here, with this World Cup then no surprises.
DeleteEven outside of this World Cup I would still say no but definitely using some player management would suffice. If you have a look at the game, there haven’t been that many challenges that have required management so to go for a yellow card now would be too much.
Very surprising no card on 38’. Certainly reckless
ReplyDeleteExcellent no penalty decision
ReplyDeleteAgree, here. Great call. The carry on afterwards though is too much.
DeleteExcellent no penalty call for me on 45'
ReplyDeleteFantastic no penalty call. For me, in this World Cup we have seen any contact initiated by the attacker on the defender is no penalty. Collina doesn’t want to see a penalty here.
DeleteTop no penalty call by Pinheiro! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteGreat no pen decision
ReplyDeleteMissed penalty for me
ReplyDeleteClear pen missed
ReplyDeleteI have difficulty to evaluate this play. Sincerely, I don’t know whether this was a right or wrong decision
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI think this can’t be intervened on by VAR regardless of how it’s called on field. I tend to agree with no penalty, but wouldn’t think it’s terrible to call a penalty.
DeleteReally tough decision
I think this can’t be intervened on by VAR regardless of how it’s called on field. I tend to agree with no penalty, but wouldn’t think it’s terrible to call a penalty.
DeleteReally tough decision
Disagree. 100 % for me.
ReplyDeletePenalty
DeleteWhat would your analysis be in terms of the penalty decision? How would you compare it to similar non-penalty calls in the tournament?
DeleteExcellent no pen call. His #1 fan will be pleased.
ReplyDeleteVery big fan of this non penalty call.
ReplyDeleteGood to him and VAR
Although he made great no penalty decision, he will be under bigger pressure in second half because of it.
ReplyDeleteThe good referee does not need video assistant referee
ReplyDeleteBut neither do I want a user who inexplicably keeps praising him. I don't think he's a good referee, and through your comments, you're trying to make him look better than he actually is
Delete+1 with Hans it's like a PR role for you, Ahmed are you getting paid though today the Portuguese ref Pinheiro has been flawless and fantastic so far 51'
DeleteThe precedent that if you stick your leg infront of someone shooting, trip them over and it not being a foul as the attackers leg is the one in motion is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteA very impressive first half from Pinheiro who has justified this appointment and then some. Excellent fitness and movement (not afraid to go wide when required), strong foul detection and consistent contact allowed. The challenge on 38' on another day may have seen a YC but Pinheiro was spot on in line with FIFA instructions to issue no YC. The no penalty call on 45' was a brave and strong call helped by Pinheiros positioning to go wide to allow him to see the contact the correct way around. Interesting Christina Unkel for British TV thinks VAR should have overturned it and recommended a review but I have to say I disagree with her. Excellent stuff and keep up the good work Pinheiro and team for the rest of the game.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Despite me not being a big fan of his, that was surely an excellent first half.
DeleteAlso excellent from Del Cerro Grande to confirm pinheiro’s call
DeleteChristina Unkel has now reversed her opinion and confirmed VAR was correct not to intervene but made no clear comment on if she thought it was a penalty.
DeleteI'm genuinely confused by the controversy about this incident. Unlike Scotland-Brazil, the Rsa defender just moves his position, and he gets kicked by the attacker? Am I missing something?
DeleteI don't think this was a great performance however. Pinheiro is completely missing a stepped approach to deal with the (by now surely famous!!) rough play by Rsa: clear YC for off-the-ball fouling missed to Rsa6 at 10:07; borderline to reckless foul given like a normal one by Rsa14 at 19:25; then good verbal warning to Rsa21 at 20:41 but by then Pinheiro could/should have already started dishing out cards; what happened at 27:08 was a total accident so okay. The incident I would be firm on is 38:32 - this MUST be a yellow card. It is a yellow card on its own, but a top referee HAS to read the nature of how (one of the) teams is playing the game. Sorry, but this 39' scene is simply poor. Rsa4 then tries to undermine the referees authority at 43:45 but clearly no card is needed for this dissenting-ish behaviour.
So: not a bad first half, but I would say only okay.
The key call though was clearly correct (imo!).
No, not missing anything, I think your summation of the key incident is in line with my opinion and summation.
DeleteI didn’t mean my comment against you, osmanabbot! Hope you didn’t perceive it as such. Overall, okay performance by Pinheiro, but not at the top.
Delete@Osman completely agree with your analysis of the half. Well said.
Delete@Mikael, ordinarily I would agree with your analysis of fouls and the need for a stepped approach for player management, however with the high bar for fouls and therefore it will increase the threshold for the stepped managed approach and therefore the disciplinary approach too.
I would agree with one area here, the need to recognise the approach for South Africa and what they are trying to do with there physical approach. I was very harsh against the referee in the first Canadian game (against BIH i think) where this physical approach stopped Canada from playing and continued without punishment or management the entire game. I would say, I haven’t got that impression thus far.
I would say that he is fulfilling the criteria for foul detection that FIFA have set for referees, he is letting the game flow, keeping the cards in his pocket and as a result we can’t negatively assess his performance as a result.
Terrible no call penalty
ReplyDeleteWhat are the arguments in favor of no PK call ?
ReplyDeleteThe call was made by a UEFA ref?
DeleteThat the attacker kicked the defender, so that attacker was gulity of initiating the contact. The defender in my opinion did nothing wrong.
DeleteAgree. Explain me why this isn’t a blatant foul here ?
DeleteThe defender played the ball, then was kicked
DeleteFor me, if you look at the Kylian Mbappe penalty non-call by Faghani, then look at how Collina was happy this was considered a non penalty. Then you’ll see this was a good decision by the criteria set FIFA for the referees.
DeleteThe reasoning will be the CAN att made contact with the RSA defender, as a result they will say the ATT initiated the contact. No penalty
How can he be this good making correct decisions at same time have the weakest body language of all referees! Lacking charismatic
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteSuperba analisi Damir, superb analisys
DeleteFor me, I don’t see it as weak body language. I see him as composed and calm. Are we surprised to see this sort body language from a UEFA referee?
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DeleteMissed foul that could have been YC for Buchanan.
ReplyDeleteNever a yellow based on what we’ve been seeing the past few weeks
Delete100% must consider the context of the game we are watching the direction to referees.
DeleteHe is not handling the South African well,he is allowing far too much appealing by them ,but by the same token a Canadian opens there ,mouth ,he is sending them away. NO consistency ,he should be refereeing the teams in the same way
ReplyDeletePoor from Pinheiro to get in the way when Canada pressing
ReplyDeleteDid he call foul ?? What ever he call that was trouble
Delete@Damir the ball hit his heel before Canada intercepted a pass out from RSA
DeleteIt hit him, not sure what anyone expects.
DeleteHe turned to go up field since RSA was getting out, and it got hit right at him. Really unlucky for him and Canada
But he gave the dropball to RSA?
DeleteCorrect, they passed it in to him so it was their possession when it hit him.
DeleteReally unlucky circumstances for Canada, but textbook correct restart
Agree @WisconsinRef
DeleteThe other issue we need to highlight here is that it was lucky because he was trying to get into a good position. He was positioned perfectly on the top of the box and then needed to move to be in position for the next phase of play.
If RSA go on a counter attack, he needed to move from his position and I think he made the correct run and was sprinting to avoid being in a position to be hit. Just unlucky,
Correct restart too.
Sorry, but the disciplinary management was chaotic and unbalanced. Canada received two yellow cards that were certainly justified, yet South Africa somehow escaped the first half without a single booking, even though they could (or arguably should) have received two yellow cards themselves.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with Damir: to me, Pinheiro is the very definition of zero charisma for a referee at this level. He simply doesn’t project any authority.
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DeleteNo authority? Nonsense! Just because he is calm doesn’t mean he has no authority! Gave clear decisions and wasn’t pressured. Lots of times he was explaining to players and you can see they responded to him positively. Do t confuse someone strutting around, waving arms and loud whistles with ‘authority’.
DeleteI have to disagree, he has let a lot go in the first half and gave South Africa plenty of warnings so I can understand it seems harsh but we have seen this as approach replicate in this tournament. First half no cards and second half start showing cards.
DeleteI also think the tactical element of the foul should not be underestimated, holding on to a player after being nutmegged at 54’ entering a dangerous position in the middle of the field and then at 67’ CAN high up the field and CAN lose the ball leading to potential promising attack. This seems to be held in higher regard than just a reckless or excessive force challenge
SA should have had a YC for trying to obstruct a thrown in
ReplyDeleteSA should have had a YC for trying to obstruct a thrown in
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say we will see him again after this as others have highlighted he appears too passive
ReplyDeletePinheiro has been a lot better than Canada who haven’t turned up
ReplyDeletePathetic comment
Delete+1, a really not great match from either side. Many arguments for Pinheiro being the best on the pitch!
Delete@John, claiming he 'should be wearing a yellow shirt' is both a nonsense, and adds far less value than Oliver's completely valid comment
I said the yellow shirt comment because he seemed happy to YC the Canadians for poor challenges ,but identiical challenges from the South Africans were either not penalised or he just gave a free kick .No consistency in his refereeing
DeleteIt is striking what happens during major competitions, when these "new screen names" pop up using slanderous language and systematically trying to disparage the work of referees who don't belong to their "clan." These are malicious individuals—or perhaps, in some cases, it’s just the same person—who are not missed at all on this forum. From a technical standpoint, one might dislike his "body language," but the truth is that Pinheiro is technically very good and his physical conditioning is excellent. So far, the only decision worth analyzing has drawn a unanimous response from the various refereeing analysts (for instance, Burrell simply says: "Great No Call. Play on").
ReplyDelete100% great call. To me his calm and in control body language should not be viewed as a negative. This is how UEFA have developed and coached their referees so only natural this is how they act.
DeleteTop class Pinheiro!
ReplyDeleteVery good perfomance for joao pinheiro we will see the next game that he officiate
ReplyDeleteNot sure if he will get a QF+ but I suppose a run from France/England will open up options for someone in UEFA.
DeletePersonally I enjoyed this performance from Pinheiro. I thought his fitness and movement/positioning were excellent (very unfortunate with the ball hitting him as he was in an expected position). Technically I thought he was good and followed FIFA's directive well and allowed the game to flow throughout. All YC's were correct and apart from the incident on 38' which I think is a caution, he had good foul detection and allowed a consistent level of body contact. I do agree he appears passive at points but for me, he does have a natural calm almost laid-back demeanor and this may play into his passive appearance but I think to say he didn't have control of this game would be wrong. What's next for him? Maybe a L16 or a 4th official appointment in a QF but I don't think more will follow. He can be happy with his days work.
ReplyDeleteI'd generally agree. Personally, I don't dislike a laid back approach, but the only bit that did bug me was if someone didn't come over when he wanted to talk to them, he just seemed to completely let it go and move on. Laid back can be good, but yeah, a little more follow through and conviction at times to show he can't be walked over would help. But in this game, no problems
DeleteAgree @osman and @DB
DeleteYes, osman would really harsh to say he didn’t control the game. He did manage things, he was just passive in his words and body language. Also key to mention the match didn’t get out of control so can’t say the approach didn’t work
Chefren,Norway-Corte Diviore match official referee is appointed or not?
ReplyDeleteVery good Pinheiro,expect him once more in Round of 16 eventually quarterfinal and its maximum.
ReplyDeleteDo we think someone will get both R32 and R16? I suspect it will see 24 different refs.
DeletePinheiro was good maybe very good at times in a tight game so anything is possible by now R16/QF or rather 4O at the latter stages of the tournament because all best UEFA referees are getting 3 appointments
ReplyDeleteI was actually really impressed and am very surprised by some comments on here. I thought he was excellent. Cool, calm, full control and all key decisions correct. Kept game flowing and judged involvement well. Some saying no more games; I think he could/should go very far - we’ll see!
ReplyDeleteThe Newspaper Marca (Marca.com) gives 3 star (Outstanding) to the performance of Pinheiro. During this WC is only the second time that the newspaper evalue the referee performance with 3 stars
DeleteAlways interesting how opinions can vary. I think he’s been superb in both games and deserves, on merit, to go much further. Unusual to be planned for 1 group game and R32, so maybe plan was always, if successful, for game 3 to be later?
Delete100% agree with your comments here
DeleteIf this happens to be Pinheiro's last appointment, I think he can be stil be satisfied. I assume that his ambition was to get at least one KO game and he got it. In his two games he got all KMIs right, didn't make any blunders. We can discuss about his foul recognition, disciplinary measures, game menagment, etc. but I think that doesn't change afford mentioned stance..
ReplyDeleteVincic, Makkelie, Valenzuela are in the next set of appointments. Official.
ReplyDelete