Colombian citizen Oscar Julian Ruiz will represent his country as a referee during the Greece versus Nigeria World Cup game that will be held in the South African city of Bloemfontein on Thursday.
This is the first time that Ruiz, who has refereed at two prior World Cups, will be the first referee. Previously the Villavicencio-born soccer lover had worked as a fourth official in the FIFA tournament.
Ruiz, 40, is one of six Latin American referees to have been selected to officiate games and will by accompanied by his assistants, fellow Colombians Abraham Gonzalez and Humberto Clavijo.
The Colombian refereed in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, also blew his whistle at five editions of the Copa America, and led three finals of the Copa Libertadores.
The Greece-Nigeria game will kick off on Thursday June 17 at 9AM.
