Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti will take charge of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B decider between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, with fellow Brazilians Danilo Manis and Rafael Alves serving as his assistants. Peru's Kevin Ortega will act as the fourth official, with compatriot Michael Orue as reserve assistant referee.
Who is Ramon Abatti?
At 36, Abatti is among the younger officials at the tournament, though the World Cup is not new territory for him. He presided over Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt in Group G, distributing four yellow cards during that contest.
His disciplinary record in 2025/26 suggests a measured approach — he has issued just three red cards across 29 matches this season, according to transfermarkt. A man who keeps his cards in his pocket, Abatti leans on authority rather than punishment.
Beyond the international stage, Abatti has built his reputation across multiple seasons in Brazil's Serie A. His most prominent assignment to date came at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he refereed the men's gold medal final — a dramatic 5-3 extra-time victory for Spain over France at the Parc des Princes.
What is at stake in Vancouver
The match carries enormous weight for Canada, one of the FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts. Canada and Switzerland are separated only by goal difference heading into the final round of Group B fixtures, with both sides in contention for top spot.
Jesse Marsch's side need at least a point to guarantee they finish first in the group — a result that would allow them to continue playing their home matches on Canadian soil throughout the tournament.
Both teams arrive at this fixture with momentum. Canada dismantled host nation Qatar 6-0 in their previous outing, a match that was marred by the red cards shown to Homam El Amin and Assim Omer Madibo, the latter dismissed for a foul that left Canada midfielder Ismael Kone with a serious leg fracture.
Switzerland, for their part, recovered from a 1-0 lead to win 4-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, helped by the late dismissal of defender Tarik Muharemovic. With top spot and home-soil advantage on the line, Vancouver is set for a tense and absorbing finale.
