The 76-strong line-up features 24 referees and 41 assistant referees, who will be joined by 11 Video Match Officials (VMOs).
In a first for the Continental showpiece, the cast for the 19th edition includes four officials from UEFA – one referee, two assistant referees and one VMO – as part of the AFC’s ongoing collaboration with its European counterpart. The upcoming 2028 UEFA European Football Championship is also set to feature Asian officials for the first time.
The partnership provides an opportunity for the two confederations to share technical expertise and best practices, while further supporting the development of match officials at the highest level.
Underlining the AFC’s steadfast commitment to raising the standard of its competitions, the appointments for Saudi Arabia 2027 were confirmed following an extensive three-year selection process from 2023 to 2026. Potential candidates were assessed across FIFA and AFC competitions, as well as top domestic, regional and international tournaments, identifying those who consistently demonstrated the qualities required to perform on the biggest stage.
Among the key considerations were consistency and proficiency in decision-making, including the ability to make effective use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Physical and psychological readiness also played an important role, with officials required to demonstrate the fitness, resilience and composure needed to operate in the high-pressure environment of the AFC Asian Cup™.
Their commitment to continuous development was another crucial factor, with training records taken into consideration, including participation in FIFA seminars, workshops and technical briefings, which have provided Match Officials with valuable opportunities to strengthen their technical knowledge, sharpen their decision-making and stay abreast of the latest developments in refereeing.
The latest edition of the AFC’s flagship men’s national team competition will see the return of several familiar faces, including referees Alireza Faghani and Ma Ning, who will make their fourth and third AFC Asian Cup™ appearances respectively. Both officials also featured in the FIFA World Cup earlier this year and will be joined in Saudi Arabia by the remaining six referees, and five VMOs, who represented the Confederation at the global showpiece.
The AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ will take place from January 7 to February 5, 2027, across eight stadiums in the host cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, where 24 contenders will battle for the coveted Asian crown.
To see the full list of appointed officials, please click here .