As the Continent gears up for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the cast of match officials who will oversee the opening match of Asia’s premier women’s national team competition at the stunning Perth Stadium on Sunday.
Among Asia’s most accomplished referees, China PR’s Dong Fangyu has been appointed to take charge of the curtain raiser between hosts Australia and the Philippines. A graduate of the AFC Referee Academy, Dong created history as the first alumna to officiate at a FIFA competition when she was referee in the Quarter-final clash between the Netherlands and Colombia at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024, before further etching her name in the Confederation’s records last year when she became one of the first women to officiate at the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. In another career highlight, the 35-year-old also earned her first appointment as referee in an AFC men’s club competition when she oversaw the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Group Stage match between Japan’s Gamba Osaka and Ratchaburi FC of Thailand.
Joining Dong as assistant referee will be Xie Lijun, appearing in the Continental showpiece for the second consecutive time, and having also officiated at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024. Set to join the duo is compatriot Bao Mengxiao, whose impressive resume includes appearances at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2024, the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025, and the prestigious Maurice Revello Tournament, while the role of fourth official will be filled by another familiar face, Tian Jin, also from China PR.
With the 21st edition of the AFC’s flagship women’s national team competition featuring the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system across all matches for the first time, China PR's Fu Ming will oversee operations in the VAR room, assisted by Law Bik Chi from Hong Kong, China. One of the most experienced Video Match Officials on the Continent, Fu previously showcased his proficiency in some of Asia’s biggest matches, including the Final matches of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25, and was also among the 15 Asian officials appointed to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Source: AFC
