Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterKansas City is the stage for the Group E encounter between Ecuador and Curacao, with kick-off set for 7pm local time (1am UK time).Because head-to-head record counts ahead of goal difference, and they have already lost to the Ivory Coast, Ecuador would be effectively eliminated from the tournament with a game to spare if they lose.The same is not true of Curacao - but they realistically need to get something out of this game if they are to stand any chance of making it out of the group.Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kMa Ning set to referee Ecuador vs CuracaoChina's Ma Ning will be the referee for this game as he makes his World Cup debut in that capacity.47-year old Ma was selected among the AFC officials for the 2022 World Cup, serving as the fourth official in six games without taking the whistle. You may like How to watch Ecuador vs Curacao for FREE Who is the referee for Ivory Coast vs Ecuador after Michael Oliver withdrawal? Who are the commentators, pundits and presenters for Ecuador vs Curacao? Ma is no stranger to high-profile games having previously overseen proceedings at the Club World Cup and the Arab Cup.The highlight of his career to date was the 2023 Asian Cup final (actually played in 2024...don't ask) - the equivalent of a Euros final.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Incredibly, that game saw Ma give three penalties to hosts Qatar over the 90 minutes, all of which Akram Afif scored to secure a 3-1 win over Jordan.Assisting Ma as linesmen are his countryman Zhou Fei and Qatar's Saud Al-Maqaleh.The fourth official is New Zealander Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh, who once refereed a cup final on the same day his wife also refereed a cup final. Lovely stuff.The lead VAR official is Fu Ming, so we can probably expect plenty of red cards.Alongside him in the booth are Italian Marco Di Bello and Poland's Tomasz Kwiatkowski.Ecuador fell to a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast in their opening game, while competitions debutants Curacao suffered a 7-1 pummelling at Germany's hands.TOPICSEcuadorCuraaoWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
