Why Are the World Cup Referees for Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Wearing Pink?

Uruguay and Saudi Arabia face off in a Group H World Cup match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with both teams aware of the importance of the game after Cape Verde held Spain to a draw in the other Group H fixture.

While the match is important for the group, there is another detail that will catch fans' attention during the game - the referees' uniforms.

The officials for the match will be seen wearing flamingo pink uniforms, a rare change from the usual bright yellow kits.

Why are the World Cup Referees Wearing Pink?

Miami is closely associated with the colour pink, and that influence has now reached World Cup officials.

The South Florida city is associated with the colour pink for several reasons, including its connection to flamingos in the region, its famous sunsets, and its iconic Art Deco architecture.

Maurizio Mariani, who will officiate the match, and the other officials will also wear pink kits as a tribute to the city.

Regarding this, FIFA President Gianni Infantino also explained the idea behind it, saying: "Pink is the color of Miami, and we want to give a little bit of a shoutout, to give a little bit of a smile to the city which is hosting us."

FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina also spoke about the decision, saying: "We thought it would be nice to show our appreciation to the city where we'll live for about two months. We chose this ‘pink flamingo', it's a sort of recognition."

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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 2:54 PM.