FIFA has appointed an English Premier League referee to officiate the decisive Group F match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense in the 2025 Club World Cup.
The highly anticipated fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Anthony Taylor, who’s got massive experience and pedigree on the global stage, will take charge of the whistle on the day.
The 46-year-old, who earned his FIFA badge in 2013, is a veteran of numerous high-profile matches, including the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final and the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League final.
Taylor made his Premier League debut in February 2010 during the match between Fulham and Portsmouth. He was then promoted to the Premier League’s Select Group of Referees for the 2010/11 season.
TAYLOR’S PREMIER LEAGUE CONTROVERSIAL MATCH OF 14 YELLOW CARDS
Interestingly, last year in a match between Chelsea and Bournemouth, he set a Premier League record by issuing 14 yellow cards. A significant eight of these cautions were shown to Chelsea players.
For Bafana Ba Style, the match against the Brazilian giants is nothing short of a must-win. Having secured a 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD in their opening game but lost to Borussia Dortmund, Masandawana need to triumph over Fluminense to guarantee their spot in the knockout stages of the competition.
Fluminense, on the other hand, will enter the game with a slight advantage, needing just a draw to progress. However, given their strong performances in the tournament so far, including a 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund and a dominant 4-2 win over Ulsan, the Brazilian side will be aiming for a victory to potentially top the group.
The appointment of a referee of Taylor’s calibre adds another layer of interest to what promises to be a captivating encounter between two clubs vying for a place in the next round.
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