Ma Ning will become the first Chinese official in 24 years to oversee a World Cup match as head referee when he takes charge of Ecuador's Group E match against Curacao on June 20 in Kansas City.

Ma's compatriot, Zhou Fei, will serve as an assistant referee for the second-round group-stage encounter, FIFA announced on Wednesday.

The appointment will mark the first time the 47-year-old Ma has officiated a World Cup match in the lead role, as well as the first time since 2002 that a Chinese referee has been assigned to take charge of a match at football's showpiece competition.

Three Chinese officials were selected for the 2026 World Cup pool: Ma as a referee, Zhou as an assistant referee and Fu Ming as a video assistant referee.

Fu has already appeared in two matches as an assistant video assistant referee, leaving all three Chinese officials on course to make appearances at this year's tournament.

In recent years, Ma and his colleagues have distinguished themselves after earning roles at several major international competitions. Ma was selected for the referee team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he served as a fourth official.

Ma and Fu also officiated at the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. In addition, the Chinese quartet of Ma, Fu, Zhou and Zhang Cheng oversaw the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final, played in Qatar in early 2024, marking the first time Chinese referees had taken charge of the championship contest at the continental tournament.

Before departing for North America, Ma said the Chinese officials were determined to prove themselves on football's biggest stage.

"During the World Cup, we will learn from the world's best referees and bring valuable experience back to China to contribute to the training and development of Chinese referees," he noted. "We will also do our utmost to showcase the professionalism and spirit of Chinese referees on the World Cup stage."