Referees to wear pink in Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia match to honor Miami

Referees officiating the match between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Miami will don pink jerseys, a tribute to the vibrant color that defines the South Florida city. The choice of pink is a deliberate nod to Miami's iconic flamingos, its distinctive Art Deco architecture, and the renowned sunsets that frequently paint the sky in shades of pink.

FIFA announced that the referees will honor their host city by wearing the flamingo-pink shirts during the match, which marks the debut for both teams. The Italian referee Maurizio Mariani will lead the officiating team, all of whom will be dressed in the symbolic color.

This color is deeply associated with Miami due to the historical abundance of flamingos in the region, as well as the city's famous pink-hued Art Deco buildings and its picturesque sunsets. FIFA has designated Miami as the base camp for the 170 referees selected for the World Cup, where they will undergo physical preparation during the tournament.

"Miami is our base camp, so we thought it would be nice to show our appreciation to the city where we will live for about two months," said Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, in a statement. The match is scheduled for Monday at 6:00 PM local time at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Los árbitros honrarán a su ciudad anfitriona luciendo camisetas de flamenco rosa en el partido Uruguay vs Arabia Saudí el lunes 15 de junio, un guiño a los flamencos, la arquitectura Art Deco y esos famosos atardeceres de Miami que hacen que el color sea icónico aquí.