Germany will continue their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Finland in Mainz on Sunday. While Julian Nagelsmann confirmed that Manuel Neuer’s return from international retirement will have to wait, the match at the Mewa Arena will also mark the international debut of a 27-year-old Brazilian referee.
Matheus Delgado Candançan, a FIFA-listed referee since 2025, will officiate his first international fixture less than three months after attracting global attention during the Campeonato Mineiro final. The trained engineer handed out 23 red cards in the heated state championship decider between fierce rivals Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro.
Among those dismissed were Dortmund prospect Kaua Prates and former Brazil international Hulk, who has since left his club to join Fluminense. Several red cards were only confirmed in Candançan’s official match report after a mass brawl forced security personnel and military police to intervene.
Despite the extraordinary scenes, the young official did not break the world record for most red cards in a match. That record still belongs to fellow South American referee Damián Rubino, who issued 36 red cards during an Argentine fifth-tier clash between Club Atlético Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in 2011.
Germany will conclude their preparations with a match against co-hosts USA following Sunday’s encounter with Finland. Alongside the 40-year-old Neuer, Kai Havertz will also miss the game, as Arsenal face PSG in the Champions League final the day before. Nagelsmann’s side begin their World Cup campaign against tournament debutants Curaçao on June 14.
