Chinese referee Ma Ning makes history at 2026 World Cup after 24-year absence

Chinese referee Ma Ning is set to make history by officiating a Group E match at the 2026 World Cup between Ecuador and Curacao on June 20 in Kansas City, USA. This appointment signifies a major milestone for Chinese football, as he becomes the first Chinese referee to take charge of a World Cup game in 24 years.

The last time a Chinese official refereed a match in the world's premier football tournament was in the 2002 edition. Alongside Ma Ning, fellow Chinese official Zhou Fei has been appointed as an assistant referee for this upcoming game, ensuring China's continued representation on the field at the highest level of international competition.

This achievement underscores the increasing confidence and recognition of Chinese refereeing standards on the global stage. For the 2026 World Cup, China has deployed a total of three officials: Ma Ning as the main referee, Zhou Fei as an assistant referee, and Fu Ming serving as a video assistant referee (VAR).

Fu Ming has already officiated in two matches as a VAR official during the tournament. With these latest appointments, all Chinese representatives on the officiating teams have now participated in the competition. Ma Ning's reputation has steadily grown, as seen by his role as the fourth official at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and his inclusion in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 officiating team.

Furthermore, a quartet of Chinese referees, including Ma Ning, Fu Ming, Zhou Fei, and Zhang Cheng, recently made history by officiating the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar. This was the first time Chinese referees were entrusted with the final match of Asia's most prestigious national team football tournament. Ma Ning views his World Cup appointment not just as a personal honor, but as a vital opportunity to showcase Chinese refereeing quality worldwide and gain valuable experience to foster development back home.

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During the World Cup, we will learn from the best referees in the world and bring valuable experience back to China to support the development and training of referees in our country.