DALSA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- According to multiple sources, FIFA finalized the referee list for the remaining matches of the USA-Canadian-Mexican World Cup on July 12, and Chinese referees Ma Ning and Zhou Fei were not included.
Previously, Chinese referee Fu Ming had left the World Cup venue on July 8. With this, the three Chinese referees who participated in officiating at this World Cup have completed their duties.
On June 20, Chinese referees Ma Ning and Zhou Fei made their debut before the Ecuador vs. Curaçao match. Ma Ning was selected as the main referee for this World Cup, Zhou Fei as the assistant referee, and Fu Ming as the video assistant referee (VAR). In the second round of the World Cup group stage match on June 20, Ecuador and Curaçao drew 0-0. Ma Ning served as the main referee, Zhou Fei as the assistant referee, and Fu Ming as the VAR referee, marking the collective debut of the Chinese referee team at the World Cup.
Ma Ning served as the referee for one match and the fourth official for three matches. Zhou Fei served as the assistant referee for one match and the alternate assistant referee for three matches. Fu Ming served as the video assistant referee (VAR), assistant video assistant referee (AVAR), and auxiliary video assistant referee (SVAR) for seven matches.
Chinese referees set numerous records at this World Cup. Ma Ning became the first Chinese referee to officiate at the World Cup in 24 years, and the only Chinese referee to be selected for the referee roster for two consecutive World Cups. Fu Ming became the first Chinese referee to serve as VAR at the World Cup, and Zhou Fei became the first Chinese assistant referee to officiate on the field.
On June 26, the Group I match between Norway and France took place at the USA-Canadian Cup. The photo shows Ma Ning, serving as the fourth official for this match, before the game. Ma Ning and Zhou Fei also served as the fourth official and alternate referee respectively for the World Cup Round of 32 match between Germany and Curaçao, marking the first time Chinese referees have officiated in a World Cup knockout stage match.
