The referees’ appointment arm of world football governing body FIFA at the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Wednesdayreleased names of officials for matches billed for Friday.
Three matches are slated for the day, with Egypt taking on Uruguay in Ekaterinburg in Group A.
In Group B, Portugal face Spain in Sochi, while Morocco take on Iran at Saint Petersburg.
The Egypt-Uruguay match will be officiated by 45-year-old Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers who is participating in his second FIFA World Cup.
Kuipers’ numerous high-profile assignments include two UEFA Europa League Finals (2013 and 2018), and one UEFA Champions League Final (2014).
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he took charge of three games and he replicated that at UEFA Euro 2016, his second European championship.
He will be assisted by compatriots Sander van Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra as AR1 and AR2.
Milorad Mazic and Milovan Ristic, both of Serbia, will be the Fourth Official and Reserve Assistant Referee.
Italy’s Gianluca Rocchi, who will turn 45 in August, will handle the second match of Group B between Portugal and Spain.
Rocchi took charge of his first Serie A match in 2004 and became a FIFA referee in 2008, making his debut in the UEFA Cup in the same year.
He was included in the referee pool for the Olympic Football Tournament at London in 2012 and officiated Mexico-Japan in the semi-finals.
The Italian will be assisted by compatriots Elenito di Liberatore and Mauro Tonolini as AR1 and AR2.
