September 25: The full Asian Cup roster features 24 referees, 41 assistant referees and 11 VMOs, making it the largest match official contingent in the history of the competition.
The AFC says the selections were made after a three-year process running from 2023 to 2026, with candidates assessed in FIFA and AFC competitions as well as domestic and regional tournaments. Consistency in decision-making, use of VAR, physical fitness and psychological preparation were taken into account in the selection process, as well as whether they participated in technical seminars and workshops.
There is also a lot of experience in the group.
Alireza Faghani will be working on his fourth Asian Cup, while China’s Ma Ning will face his third. Both also officiated at this year’s World Cup, with a further six referees and five VMOs from the AFC global tournament contingent also making Saudi Arabia’s roster.
Five AFC Referee Academy graduates have also been selected, including referees Choi Hyun-jai, Alex King and Asker Nadjafaliev.
Among the referees is a UEFA contingent of four match officials, the first time qualified European officials will take part in an Asian Cup for the first time.
Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumšas has been selected along with assistant referees Aleksandr Radiuš and Dovydas Sužiedelis, while Italian Aleandro Di Paolo joins as video game official.
Their inclusion is another step in the growing cooperation between the AFC and UEFA, with the deal working both ways. Asian match officials are also to feature for the first time at Euro 2028.
The exchange gives both confederations the opportunity to share refereeing knowledge and expose officials to different competitions and environments ahead of major tournaments.
The Asian Cup runs from January 7 and will run until February 5, with eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)
