🔥 Trending Raphael Claus: Who is the Brazilian football referee?

Raphael Claus is a Brazilian football referee who is currently officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America ¹. He has been in the spotlight recently due to his officiating in a Round of 32 match between the United States national team and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he issued a controversial red card to Folarin Balogun ⁵⁸.

Career Highlights and Experience

Born on September 6, 1979 ⁷, Claus began his refereeing journey after playing football until the age of 20. He enrolled in the Paulista Football Federation's referee training program in 2002 and has since accumulated significant experience ⁷.

• Domestic Experience: Claus has officiated over 260 matches in Brazil's top division ³.
• International Tournaments: His international credentials include officiating at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar ¹ and the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia ³. He is also a regular on the international stage ³.

Recent Controversy

Claus has faced criticism and calls for his dismissal following his decision to show a red card to Folarin Balogun during the USMNT vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match at the 2026 World Cup ⁸. This incident has led to considerable debate about his officiating ⁵.

Furthermore, Claus has been previously involved in a match-fixing investigation in Brazil. Accusations of match-fixing were made against him in relation to matches in Brazil's first division in 2023 ⁴. He was reportedly called to testify in a Brazilian investigation concerning these allegations ⁶.