China Celebrates 47-Year-Old Referee Ma Ning’s First World Cup Match in 24 Years
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
China Celebrates 47-Year-Old Referee Ma Ning’s First World Cup Match in 24 Years
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
Summary
Ma Ning, 47, drew unusual attention in China after making his on-field World Cup debut in Curaçao’s 0-0 draw with Ecuador, becoming the country’s de facto representative at the tournament.
China’s national team failed to qualify, turning the referee’s appearance into a rare point of national pride for fans in a country of 1.4 billion that has not reached the World Cup since 2002.
Ma worked with assistant referee Zhou Fei and video assistant referee Fu Ming in the first Chinese officiating team to handle a match at this World Cup.
The assignment also made Ma the first Chinese referee to work a World Cup match since 2002 and the first selected for two straight tournaments, after being chosen in 2022 without an on-field role.
State media called the Kansas City match a historic milestone, and some fans said on social media they tuned in specifically to watch Ma officiate.