Overview
- Ma Ning is the only Chinese match referee named to the 2026 World Cup officiating roster and is in North America ahead of the tournament.
- This week his travel posts and photos drew widespread attention on Chinese platforms with related hashtags topping more than 3.6 million views and his RedNote account gaining roughly 195,000–197,000 followers.
- Domestic companies including Lenovo, Hisense and Mengniu have moved quickly to work with Ma as his profile rose into a commercial opportunity.
- The nickname “Card Master” comes from a 2015 Shanghai derby when Ma issued nine yellow cards and three reds and his strict style helps explain both the fan enthusiasm and the risk of intense scrutiny of every booking or penalty call.
- Ma brings continuity of experience to the role after being FIFA-listed since 2011, serving on the 2022 World Cup roster and refereeing the 2024 AFC Asian Cup final, and he is accompanied by assistant Zhou Fei and VAR official Fu Ming.