Two Vietnamese referees receive good news from AFC

Hanoi 13 March 2026 – Two Vietnamese referees, Ngo Duy Lan and Nguyen Trung Hau, have successfully passed the AFC VAR referee selection, thereby officially joining the AFC Video Match Officials (VMO) Panel 2026.

This marks a positive step forward for Vietnamese referees in the process of officiating continental competitions, while also affirming professional development in the application of VAR technology.

The AFC Video Match Officials Selection 2026 program took place from February 2 to February 6, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the goal of training, evaluating, and selecting Video Match Officials to serve AFC competitions.

During the program, participants attended a range of specialized training sessions, including theoretical studies on VAR technology, analysis of key match situations, understanding the principles and criteria for VAR intervention, and learning how to select the most suitable camera angles to support referees in making accurate decisions.

In addition to the theoretical component, the program also organized practical sessions using the VAR Simulator system, featuring various match scenarios closely reflecting real competition conditions. Through these sessions, participants practiced image analysis, situation evaluation, and decision-making.

Furthermore, the organizers conducted practical exercises simulating the full VAR operational process in an environment similar to an actual match in order to strengthen coordination between the VAR, AVAR, and the on-field referee.

The training process also included match situation analysis, interviews, and comprehensive assessments of each participant’s capability. Based on the overall evaluation results, the AFC selected referees who met all required standards to join the pool of Video Match Officials for AFC competitions.

The successful selection of Ngo Duy Lan and Nguyen Trung Hau for the VMO Panel 2026 not only recognizes the professional capability of the two individuals but also contributes to enhancing the position of Vietnamese refereeing within the Asian football system, while helping improve the accuracy and transparency of officiating decisions in international tournaments.

VSN/RPT