The recent World Cup match between Curaçao and Ecuador, which ended in a goalless draw, caught the attention of fans for different reasons. While many focused on the exceptional performance of Curaçao’s goalkeeper, who made 15 saves, fans in China had their eyes on Ma Ning, a top Chinese referee officiating the match.
At 47, Ma Ning stands as China’s unofficial representative at the World Cup since the national team did not qualify. His appointment has brought him into the spotlight, a rare occurrence for referees. Ma Ning participated in his first World Cup match at this tournament, accompanied by assistant referee Zhou Fei and video assistant referee Fu Ming.
This occasion marked the first time a Chinese refereeing team officiated at the current World Cup. Ma Ning is notable for being the first Chinese referee selected for two consecutive World Cups. Although chosen for the 2022 tournament, he did not officiate on-field. The last time a Chinese referee officiated a World Cup match was in 2002.
In China, where the national team has not competed in the World Cup since their 2002 appearance, Ma’s participation has sparked national pride. The team failed to score a goal in that tournament. However, the presence of Chinese officials in the current tournament was celebrated in the state-run media as a significant milestone.
Some Chinese fans admitted they watched the match solely to see Ma Ning officiate. Despite the national team’s absence from the World Cup, Ma’s role has provided a sense of representation for Chinese football fans.
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