Four years can feel like a lifetime in football. Yet some decisions just refuse to fade. That was certainly true at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where a single referee became one of the tournament's most talked-about figures. Wilton Sampaio, the Brazilian official who took charge of England's dramatic quarter-final against France, somehow remained in contention for the final despite a display that left players, pundits, and supporters shaking their heads.

No, that is not a typo. FIFA had selected 36 referees from around the world at the start of that tournament. By the final week, the number had been slashed to 12. Sampaio was reportedly among that dozen asked to stay in Qatar by football's governing body. It felt like a surprising call at the time, and it still feels that way from a 2026 perspective.

The decisions that caused the storm

Harry Maguire did not hide his frustration after England's 2-1 defeat. He called the officiating 'really poor'. His annoyance was understandable. Sampaio made a series of controversial calls. One of the biggest came in the build-up to Aurelien Tchouameni's opener. Dayot Upamecano appeared to catch Bukayo Saka with a rash challenge in midfield. Sampaio waved play on. Moments later, France led 1-0.

There was more. Upamecano then clattered into Harry Kane right on the edge of the penalty area. England wanted a penalty. Others argued it was a free-kick just outside the box. They got neither. As Maguire put it after the match: 'He never gave us anything!'

The pattern repeated throughout the evening. Small fouls were ignored. Big moments went against England. It was exactly the kind of performance that usually sends a referee home.

Other officials sent home

Sampaio was not the only controversial name in the conversation. Respected Premier League official Michael Oliver did not receive another assignment after the quarter-finals. That felt harsh. Oliver had been praised for his work in three matches in Qatar, including Croatia's quarter-final victory over Brazil. Yet his tournament ended early.

The three female officials who made history at that World Cup were also absent from the final list of 12. Stephanie Frappart of France, Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda, and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan had broken new ground. Their departures did not go unnoticed.

Lahoz exits after chaotic quarter-final

Then there was Antonio Mateu Lahoz. The Spanish referee lost control of Argentina's quarter-final against the Netherlands. He issued an astonishing 17 yellow cards in an ill-tempered match. Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez called him 'useless'. Lahoz was among those cut by FIFA. Given the chaos, that decision felt inevitable.

Who stayed in the final 12

English interest did not end entirely. Anthony Taylor remained part of the contingent, along with assistants Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn. Dutch referee Danny Makkelie also stayed. He had earlier awarded Argentina a penalty in the group stage after Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was judged to have fouled Lionel Messi.

The full list of referees remaining in 2022 looked like this:

Szymon Marciniak of Poland eventually took charge of the final. He delivered a composed performance in a classic between Argentina and France. That, in many ways, underlined the point. Big occasions demand calm heads.

The 2026 angle

Now, four years later, the debate has not gone away. The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded 48-team format means more matches, more pressure, and more scrutiny on officials. Video assistant referees have improved, but the human element remains central. High-profile mistakes still follow officials for years. Sampaio's survival in 2022 stands as a reminder that reputation and tournament progression do not always line up with public perception. Fans may remember the controversy more than the calls that were correct. That is the lonely reality of refereeing at the highest level. And with 2026 here, everyone will be watching every whistle even more closely.