The World Cup kicks off Thursday in North America without the participation of China. But that hasn’t stopped Chinese soccer fans from finding a hometown figure to support.
Chinese social media users have latched onto referee Ma Ning, the steely eyed official who has spawned a wave of memes on social media platforms such as Weibo. By Thursday afternoon local time, the topic “Ma Ning” had garnered more than 25 million views.
Ma, 46, is the first Chinese national first to be appointed as referee for two FIFA World Cups. He previously officiated at the 2022 edition of the tournament in Qatar.
China’s men’s national team has not qualified for the World Cup since 2002.
“In the absence of a Chinese men’s team at the World Cup or even a World Cup hosted in China, the emergence of Ma Ning as a respected World Cup referee is notable because it highlights an area–albeit a small one–where China has successfully developed world-class football expertise,” China sports analyst Mark Dreyer, author of Sporting Superpower: an Insider’s View on China’s Quest to be the Best, told Newsweek.
‘Card Master’
Netizens have joked that Ma enjoys a unique advantage: with China not participating in this year’s World Cup, he’s not tempted to show favoritism and therefore “has no weaknesses.”
Born in Fuxin in the northeastern province of Liaoning, Ma teaches physical education and athletics-related courses at the Nanjing University of Sport.
Since becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2011, he has officiated at some of Asia’s biggest competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup and AFC Champions League.
His uncompromising refereeing has earned him the nickname “Card Master” among Chinese fans—a reputation dating back to a heated 2015 Chinese Super League game in Shanghai in which he handed out three red and nine yellow cards.
Ma has embraced the image, jokingly warning netizens on his social media page: “Whoever comes here is going to get a red card!” local media reported.
Many online commenters have praised Ma for his composure under pressure.
“In high-intensity matches, referees must stay absolutely calm—Ma Ning always does,” one user wrote in a post that was shared thousands of times.
Brand Ambassador
Further raising his profile, Ma is also serving as a brand ambassador for several major Chinese companies during the World Cup, including technology giant Lenovo, consumer electronics maker Hisense and dairy producer Mengniu.
“Who would’ve thought that someone with face blindness who never watches matches would now be able to recognize a referee?” one Weibo account with nearly 2 million followers wrote Tuesday alongside an advertisement showing Ma holding a glass of milk from Mengniu.
“In other countries, the endorsement deals go to the star players. In China, they go to the referee,” the user said.
The 2026 World Cup is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament opens Thursday at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, where host nation Mexico faces South Africa in the first match of the competition.
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