A regular in AFC competitions, China PR’s Fu Ming will make his maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup as a Video Match Official (VMO).

Having started his career in 2004 , Huai An-born Fu has appeared in multiple prestigious competitions on the continental stage as well as globally, boasting VMO appointments at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, and the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

Most recently, the 43-year-old, took on responsibilities as a VMO in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ and as a referee in the U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™.

The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate dream stage for every football referee, so I have always worked hard towards this goal. However, when I actually received the appointment, I was extremely excited and deeply grateful.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to participate in many important FIFA and AFC competitions, including age-group FIFA world Cups, the Olympic Games, the AFC Asian Cup™ and the AFC Champions League™, and in particular, in 2025, I served as a video match official at the FIFA Club World Cup, which brought me closer to the requirements of the highest level of world football.

Therefore, being selected for the World Cup is both the result of many years of hard work and a new challenge for me. It is not only a recognition of my personal refereeing career, but also a reflection of the continuous progress and recognition of referees from China PR and also Asia on the international stage. To participate in the World Cup as a video match official is a great honour and also a significant responsibility. I will approach every task with respect, responsibility and professionalism, and do my very best.

 

My preparations have been ongoing, since as a Video Match Official, preparation does not begin only after receiving the appointment; it is built on many years of training, match experience, and continuous learning.

 

In the past few years, through participating in FIFA and AFC VAR seminars, elite referee courses, and through my practical experience in high-level competitions, I have gradually accumulated experience in dealing with major tournaments.

 

At present, my preparations are mainly focused on strengthening my understanding of the Laws of the Game, the VAR protocol, and the latest FIFA technical requirements. Other than that, I am also extensively studying match incidents to improve the accuracy of my judgement, maintaining my match condition through actual competitions, especially by improving the efficiency of communication with the referee team, and finally, trying to maintain a good physical and mental condition to adapt to the high intensity and high level of attention at the World Cup.

 

Before the tournament starts, I will continue to participate in FIFA’s relevant training and pre-tournament preparation activities, making sure that I am at my best.

 

 

I think the most important factor is professional ability and consistency in decision-making and to have a very clear understanding of the Laws of the Game, the VAR protocol and the line of intervention of a “clear and obvious error”. At the World Cup, every decision will be watched by the whole world, so decisions must be accurate and the standards must be consistent.

 

The second factor is tournament experience and mental stability. My experiences at the FIFA and AFC competitions have made me deeply understand that, at the top level, being a VMO is not only about watching the footage but also about making quick judgements under pressure, communicating accurately, and supporting the referee team.

 

At the same time, VMO duties are not shouldered by one person but are carried out together by the entire team. As VMOs, we need to support the referee on the field while also respecting the overall decision-making process of the referee team, which makes clear and concise communication vitally important.

 

Finally, I believe it is also important to remain humble and keep learning. The World Cup brings together the best referees from around the world and I see this as an opportunity to continue learning and improving.

I think this fully reflects the continuous improvement of refereeing standards in Asia, and also shows FIFA’s and the international football community’s recognition of AFC refereeing. The increasing number of officials selected shows that the development of Asian referees is no longer just about individual breakthroughs but about overall long-term development.

In recent years, Asian referees have become more stable and more competitive on the world stage. Whether at the World Cup or the Olympic Games, Asian referees have been given a lot of opportunities in important matches, and they have continued to gain valuable experience through these competitions.

I am also a beneficiary of the AFC referee development system. From taking part in AFC elite referee seminars in the early stages, to later serving as a VMO at competitions at the highest level, has helped me grow step by step.

AFC has played a very important role in my development by not only providing us with high-level match platforms, but also a systematic and continuous training and feedback mechanism.

I have participated in many AFC elite referee seminars, VMO-specific courses, technical seminars and post-tournament debriefing sessions through which I have improved my understanding of the Laws of the Game and my decision-making ability, as well as gradually developing a refereeing mindset that is more in line with international standards.

Especially in the area of VAR, AFC has given me many valuable practical opportunities. Serving as a VMO, I have gradually improved my ability to identify key match incidents, understand the VAR line of intervention, and communicate effectively with the referee team under pressure.

It also laid the foundation for me to later participate in FIFA competitions and my participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 would not have been possible without the AFC’s long-term and systematic development and support.

AFC has helped me become a more mature referee, ready for the international stage and has also enabled me to better understand that modern referees need not only technical ability, but also mental resilience, teamwork, communication skills and an attitude of continuous learning.

For me, the most important goal is to complete every task in the best possible condition — focused, calm, accurate and professional — and to work together with the team to deliver high-quality performances in the matches.

At the FIFA World Cup 2026, I hope to build on my previous experience in international competitions, maintain a stable mental state, and complete my work accurately and efficiently.

At the same time, I also hope to continue learning and growing through this World Cup. The World Cup is not only the highest stage, but also the best classroom. It is a very valuable experience for me to work together with outstanding referees from all over the world.

I will cherish this opportunity and strive to represent my country as well as the rest of Asia with a strong professional image. I hope my performance will live up to the expectations of FIFA, the AFC, and all the people who have supported and helped me and that my experience will encourage more young referees.