Few Hours to go! Italian referee Orsato picked to officiate World Cup opener

Chairman of the FIFA referees committee Pierluigi Collina reacts at a press conference of the FIFA referees at the World Cup media center in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Italian referee Daniele Orsato was chosen Friday to handle the opening game of the World Cup.

FIFA picked Orsato for Sunday's match between host Qatar and Ecuador, describing him as "one of Europe's most experienced referees." He turns 47 on Wednesday.

Until 2016, FIFA imposed a mandatory age limit of 45 on match officials for international games.

Orsato, who was a video review official at the last World Cup, refereed the 2020 Champions League final when Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0. He worked three games at last year's European Championship, which was won by his home country.

Italian referees have one of the best reputations in the modern era of World Cups, handling two of the past five finals.

FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina officiated the 2002 final and Nicola Rizzoli was picked for the 2014 final.