On May 28, ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the AFC officially interviewed Chinese referee Fu Ming, who will serve as an official at the FIFA World Cup as a video assistant referee. The 43-year-old recently served as a video assistant referee for the AFC Elite League 2025/26 and as the head referee for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia. Below is the detailed interview:

This is your first time as an official at the FIFA World Cup. Were you surprised when you received the appointment? What does this experience mean to you?

Fu Ming: The FIFA World Cup is the highest dream for every football referee, and I have worked tirelessly toward this goal. When I officially received notification of my appointment, I was overjoyed and deeply grateful.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to participate in many major FIFA and AFC events, including various youth age-group World Cups, the Olympics, the Asian Cup, and AFC club competitions. Particularly in 2025, I served as a video assistant referee for the FIFA Club World Cup, an experience that further aligned me with the standards of top-tier global football events.

Being selected for the FIFA World Cup official roster is the culmination of years of hard work and a new challenge. It is not only recognition of my personal refereeing career, but also affirms the continued progress and international recognition of Chinese and Asian referees on the global stage. It is a great honor to participate in the FIFA World Cup as a video assistant referee, and it comes with significant responsibility. I will maintain a respectful attitude, uphold professional principles, diligently fulfill my duties, and spare no effort in completing all tasks.

How is your preparation progressing currently? What additional preparation is still needed before the FIFA World Cup begins?

Fu Ming: Preparation has been ongoing continuously. As a video assistant referee, preparation does not begin only when the appointment is received; rather, it accumulates gradually through years of professional training, on-field officiating experience, and continuous learning. In recent years, I have participated in video assistant referee workshops and elite referee advanced courses held by FIFA and the AFC, combined with practical experience in high-level matches, gradually building officiating experience for major events.

At this stage, my preparation focuses on deepening my understanding of the Laws of the Game, video assistant referee workflows, and FIFA's latest technical specifications. At the same time, I review numerous typical officiating cases from matches to improve decision accuracy; I continue to participate in live matches to maintain competitive readiness, focusing on refining communication efficiency with the refereeing team; additionally, I am working to adjust my physical and mental condition to adapt to the high-intensity and high-pressure environment of the FIFA World Cup. Before the FIFA World Cup begins, I will continue to participate in specialized training camps and pre-match preparation activities organized by FIFA to ensure I am in peak condition for the tournament.

In your view, what are the most important factors for performing at your best on the FIFA World Cup stage?

Fu Ming: First, strong professional competence and consistent officiating standards are essential. One must thoroughly understand the Laws of the Game and video assistant referee operational guidelines, and correctly interpret the standard for "clear and obvious error" intervention. Every decision at the FIFA World Cup receives global attention, so decisions must be accurate and standards must be consistent.

Second, experience in major tournaments and a stable mindset are crucial. Years of officiating FIFA and AFC matches have taught me that video assistant referees in top-level competitions not only review match footage but also need to make quick judgments and communicate effectively under high pressure, working fully in cooperation with the on-field refereeing team. Additionally, video assistant referee work depends on teamwork. We must cooperate not only with the on-field referee but also adhere to the overall refereeing team's official process, where concise and efficient communication is vital.

Finally, maintaining humility and continuous learning are equally important. The FIFA World Cup brings together the world's top referees, and for me, it is also a valuable opportunity to learn and improve myself.

This FIFA World Cup sees the largest number of referees sent by the AFC. What does this reflect about the current development status of Asian referees?

Fu Ming: This fully reflects the steady improvement in the overall level of Asian referees and is recognition from FIFA and the global football community of AFC referees' work. The continuous increase in the number of selected referees shows that Asian referees are no longer just emerging individual talents, but have formed a comprehensive, long-term, and positive development pattern.

In recent years, Asian referees have become increasingly stable and competitive on the international stage. Whether at the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics, Asian referees have been given many opportunities to officiate important matches and have accumulated valuable experience in practice. I am also a beneficiary of the AFC's referee development system. From participating in early AFC elite referee seminars to gradually serving as a video assistant referee in top-level competitions, I have grown and developed step by step.

What support has the AFC provided to referees? How has this helped you grow?

Fu Ming: The AFC has provided crucial support for my professional development, not only establishing high-level officiating platforms but also building systematic and regular training mechanisms and review feedback processes.

I have participated in various AFC elite referee seminars, specialized video assistant referee courses, technical exchange meetings, and post-match review sessions. These learning experiences have deepened my understanding of the Laws of the Game, enhanced my officiating abilities, and further aligned my officiating philosophy with international standards. Particularly in the video assistant referee field, the AFC has given me many practical opportunities. Experience as a video assistant referee has improved my ability to identify critical incidents on the pitch, control intervention thresholds, and collaborate and communicate with the refereeing team under high pressure.

It is precisely because of the AFC's long-term and systematic guidance and support that I have had the opportunity to stand on the stage of FIFA competition series, culminating in participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The AFC has helped me grow into a mature referee capable of officiating on the international stage, and it has also made me realize that modern referees need not only solid technical skills but also strong psychological qualities, teamwork abilities, communication skills, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Finally, what are your goals and expectations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup?

Fu Ming: For me, the primary goal is to complete all tasks in peak condition—to stay focused and calm, make accurate decisions, and fulfill my duties professionally, delivering high-quality officiating performance alongside the team. Participating in this FIFA World Cup, I will draw on my previous international match experience, maintain a stable mindset, and efficiently and accurately complete my tasks. At the same time, I also hope to continue learning and improving myself through this major tournament. The FIFA World Cup is not only the highest stage in football but also an excellent learning platform; working with outstanding referees from around the world is an invaluable experience.

I will deeply cherish this opportunity and, with a professional attitude, demonstrate the caliber of Chinese and Asian referees. I also hope that my performance will meet the expectations of FIFA, the AFC, and everyone who has supported and helped me, and that this experience will inspire more young referees to pursue their dreams.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.