Italian referee Orsato will oversee the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Friday saw the selection of Italian referee Daniele Orsato to oversee the World Cup’s inaugural match.

Orsato was chosen by FIFA to officiate the match between Ecuador and the host nation of Qatar on Sunday, calling him “one of Europe’s most accomplished referees.” On Wednesday, he turns 47.

FIFA set a fixed age restriction of 45 for match officials for international competitions up until 2016.

Orsato, who worked as a video review official at the most recent World Cup, officiated the 1-0 victory of Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2020 Champions League final. At the European Championship last year, which his nation’s team won, he worked three games.

With two of the last five World Cup finals under their belts, Italian referees enjoy one of the greatest records in the tournament’s contemporary era.

The 2002 final was overseen by FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina, and the 2014 final was presided over by Nicola Rizzoli.