Brazil vs Japan will be refereed by Maurizio Mariani of Italy.
Co-hosts Canada got the ball rolling on the round of 32 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Africa, courtesy of a Stephen Eustaquio injury-time winner on Sunday.
Over the next five days, 15 more teams will join Jesse Marsch’s side in the next round, starting with either Brazil or Japan, who face off in Houston on Monday.
Referee confirmed for Japan vs Brazil
This South America vs Asia clash is the first of a Monday triple-header, with Germany taking on Paraguay in Boston before the Netherlands and Morocco lock horns in Monterrey.
Brazil topped Group C with two wins and a draw and will face a Japan side who also went unbeaten in the group stage when they held the Netherlands and Sweden to draws, either side of a 4-0 stroll against Tunisia to finish second in Group F.
Overseeing this match will be referee Maurizio Mariani.
This will be the Italian’s third match of the tournament so far, after he took charge of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia’s 1-1 draw in Group H, plus Colombia’s 1-0 victory over DR Congo.
The 44-year-old has yet to brandish his red card this summer and has so far issued just four yellows in his two matches to date.
Mariani officiated the UEFA Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano last month.
He will be joined by his countrymen Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni at the NRG Stadium in Houston, who will be acting as assistant referees.
Switzerland’s Sando Schaerer will be on fourth official duties, with Stephane De Almeida serving as the reserve official.
Details of the VAR crew are yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.