Will Ma Ning be able to officiate as the main referee in the World Cup this time?

Written by Jin Cuo On April 9th, FIFA announced the list of referees for the 2026 USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup. Three Chinese referees were selected: Ma Ning, Fu Ming, and Zhou Fei.

Among the three, Ma Ning is a referee, Fu Ming is a Video Match Official (VMO—can serve as VAR, AVAR, or SVAR), and Zhou Fei is an assistant referee. Ma Ning was selected for the second time, while Fu Ming and Zhou Fei are first-time selections.

Due to the expansion to 48 teams in this World Cup, the number of referees has also increased to 169, including 52 referees, 87 assistant referees, and 30 Video Match Officials. The AFC has 8 referees, 12 assistant referees, and 5 Video Match Officials. Australia and Qatar each have 4 referees selected.

In the previous Qatar World Cup, there were 129 referees, with Asia having 6 referees, 10 assistant referees, and 3 Video Assistant Referees. The referees were Ma Ning (China), Jassim (Qatar), Hassan (UAE), Faghani (Iran), Beath (Australia), and Yamashita (Japan, female referee).

▲Fu Ming, Ma Ning, and Zhou Fei who entered the referee list for this World Cup

For this World Cup, besides Ma Ning, AFC referees who were selected again include Faghani and Jassim. The 48-year-old Faghani, now representing Australia, is the oldest referee in this World Cup and is highly trusted by FIFA. It is speculated that he might officiate a semi-final. Jassim is also a veteran.

The other five referees are Tantashev from Uzbekistan, Mahadmeh from Jordan, Turais from Saudi Arabia, Araki Yusuke from Japan, and Ali from the UAE.

Initially, 16 AFC referees were competing, but ultimately, Kaf from Oman, Kim Jong-hyeok from Korea, Yamashita (female) from Japan, Huwaish from Saudi Arabia, Ali from Kuwait, Nasruddin from Malaysia, Farahi from Qatar, and Nagbi from the UAE were not selected.

▲Final list of referees for the 2026 World Cup

For Ma Ning, this is his last chance.

In the last World Cup, Ma Ning was selected for the first time and participated in six matches: USA 1-1 Wales, Spain 7-0 Costa Rica, France 2-1 Denmark, Cameroon 3-3 Serbia, Netherlands 2-0 Qatar, and Cameroon 1-0 Brazil. However, his role was always as the fourth official, and all matches were in the group stage. For him, standing on the World Cup stage fulfilled a dream but also left some regret, as he "did not get to blow the whistle."

Since Cao Yi and Shi Xiang were Ma Ning's partners, they also did not get any on-field opportunities, only serving as reserve assistant referees for three matches respectively.

▲Shi Xiang, Ma Ning, and Cao Yi who officiated in the last World Cup

After the regret, Ma Ning continued to work hard and maintained the trust of the AFC and FIFA.

In this World Cup qualifiers, Ma Ning officiated eight matches, including two in the second stage and five in the third stage. During the Club World Cup from June to July last year, Ma Ning was selected as a reserve referee and served as the fourth official for six group stage matches. In November, Ma Ning was selected for the Arab Cup referee list, officiating one qualifying match and two group stage matches, and serving as the fourth official for the semi-final and final. Additionally, he officiated four AFC Champions League matches this season.

Regarding Fu Ming, he also defeated strong competitors and, along with four others, was selected for the Video Match Officials list. He participated in officiating the Club World Cup, serving as Video Match Official for five group stage matches, including one as VAR, two as AVAR, and two as SVAR.

Zhou Fei partnered with Ma Ning and also officiated multiple continental matches. The selection of three Chinese referees for the 2026 World Cup referee list is not only due to their own efforts but also inseparable from the support of the Chinese Football Association, which strives to provide them with opportunities on the international stage.

▲Ma Ning officiating the Asian Cup final gained recognition

Chinese fans are concerned about whether Ma Ning can officiate as the main referee.

Senior figures in the refereeing circle believe that Faghani, Jassim, Tantashev, and Mahadmeh all have complete referee teams, making them more likely to officiate as main referees. However, this is not absolute. In the last World Cup, Ma Ning, Cao Yi, and Shi Xiang were also a referee team, but Ma Ning did not get the opportunity.

Ma Ning, Turais, Araki Yusuke, and Ali each have one assistant referee, but cross-national combinations for officiating are possible. Ma Ning still has the opportunity to officiate as the main referee in the World Cup, and he himself is confident.

▲In the last World Cup, Ma Ning participated in six matches as the fourth official

Chinese referees first appeared in the World Cup in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, when Lu Jun officiated as the main referee for two group stage matches: Croatia vs Mexico and Poland vs USA. In the 2006 Germany World Cup, assistant referee Liu Tiejun narrowly missed out. In the 2010 South Africa World Cup, Mu Yuxin was included in the 87-person referee list, but his role was only as a reserve assistant referee. He was on standby four times but ultimately did not get to appear.

This time, can Ma Ning, Fu Ming, and Zhou Fei bring a surprise?