BEIJING — Chinese football fans have rallied around referee Ma Ning as a national representative at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the country's men's national team failed to qualify for the tournament.
Social media users in China have shown widespread support for Ma, the 46-year-old referee known for his strict style and nicknamed the "Card Master," generating millions of views on platforms such as RedNote and Weibo.
Ma is one of the Chinese officials at the tournament, which opened on June 12 in North America. With no Chinese team competing, fans have turned to him as a source of pride, posting messages of encouragement and creating memes.
"We’ll be cheering for you, because there’s no one else from China for us to support in the tournament," one comment read under a photo of Ma on RedNote, according to reports.
China has not qualified for the men's World Cup since 2002. The team again missed out on the 2026 edition, prompting supporters to seek alternative ways to engage with the event, including backing Ma and purchasing merchandise.
Some online discussions have highlighted Ma's reputation for issuing cards decisively, while others have used his visibility to comment on the state of Chinese football. Hashtags related to him have trended, reflecting a mix of enthusiasm and broader sentiments.
FIFA has selected multiple Chinese referees for various roles at the tournament, including Ma as a match referee. Details of his specific matches remain unclear in initial reports.
The outpouring of support comes amid ongoing interest in the World Cup among Chinese audiences, who are following matches through digital platforms and other channels despite the absence of their national side.
As the group stage continues, Ma's participation marks a notable presence for Chinese officiating on the international stage. No further official statements on fan reactions were immediately available from Chinese sports authorities.
