China didn’t qualify for the World Cup. But its fans still have a star: a card-wielding referee
China’s Soccer Team Misses World Cup, But Fans Find Pride in Referee Ma Ning
China didn t qualify for the World - While China’s national soccer squad faced yet another setback in qualifying for the World Cup, the country’s sports enthusiasts found unexpected inspiration in Ma Ning, a referee whose strict demeanor and card-issuing prowess have made him a symbol of pride. Though the team’s absence from the tournament was a disappointment, Ma’s presence on the international stage brought a different kind of national excitement.
Ma, 46, has long been a polarizing figure in domestic matches, often drawing criticism from fans. His reputation for unwavering calls earned him the moniker “Card Master” after a memorable 2015 Shanghai derby where he handed out nine yellow cards and three reds. The incident went viral, sparking widespread debate on social media. Despite past controversies, Chinese platforms have recently embraced him, with hashtags tied to his name generating millions of views.
A Referee's Rise Beyond the Pitch
Ma’s journey to the World Cup has been anything but ordinary. Since becoming a FIFA-certified official in 2011, he’s officiated top-tier matches in China’s Super League and international competitions like the AFC Champions League. His debut in Qatar four years ago as a fourth official marked a turning point, and now he’s set to referee games in the Americas, joined by two other Chinese officials: assistant referee Zhou Fei and video assistant referee Fu Ming.
"Other countries watch their own teams play matches, we watch our own referee hand out cards," a RedNote user remarked, highlighting the unique connection fans feel to Ma. Another joked, "His luggage is probably all filled with yellow and red cards," adding a lighthearted tone to the national fervor.
Ma’s popularity has even attracted major sponsorships, with brands like Lenovo and Hisense supporting his World Cup mission. His RedNote account, launched just a month ago, has amassed over 210,000 followers. One of his first posts showed him outside an airport, captioning it, "Let’s go!" — a rallying cry that resonates with fans who hope to see his next moves.
Debbie Wang, a non-fan of soccer, admitted she’s curious about how many cards Ma might issue. "I only know famous players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Mbappé," she said. "I’m extremely curious about how many cards Ma Ning will issue." Similarly, Ted Cui, a Beijing-based fan, praised Ma as “one of the best referees in China and even in all of Asia,” despite the challenges of following his matches across a 12 to 16-hour time difference.
China’s World Cup Dreams and Setbacks
China’s last World Cup appearance was in 2002, when they were eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal. Since then, the nation has aimed to become a global soccer power, with President Xi Jinping, a declared fan, stating in 2011 that his three aspirations for the country included qualifying, hosting, and winning the World Cup. However, years of financial missteps, alleged corruption, and the pandemic have stalled progress.
Despite these hurdles, the Chinese Super League has attempted to boost its profile by signing high-profile foreign players, often with deals comparable to Europe’s top leagues. A 2022 government blueprint outlined ambitions to transform China into a “first-class soccer superpower” by 2050. While the team hasn’t reached the World Cup yet, Ma Ning’s role as the sole Chinese referee at the event has become a source of hope and pride for fans who see him as a bridge between the country’s soccer ambitions and its current reality.