Australian FIFA referee to officiate Vietnam vs. Saudi Arabia U23 clash

Australian referee Alexander George King will lead the officiating team for the critical Group A clash between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced.

King is a veteran FIFA official who has been refereeing in Australia’s A-League since 2017. He is joined by fellow Australians James Andrew Lindsay and Kearney John Robinson, who will serve as assistant referees.

Zaid Thamer Mohammed of Iraq has been named the fourth official. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties will be led by Australia’s Katherine Margaret Jacewicz, assisted by Luk Kin Sun of Hong Kong. This marks the third consecutive match Luk has worked in the VAR room for a Vietnam fixture.

Vietnam enters the final group stage match with six points after two rounds. A win or a draw would guarantee the team a spot in the quarterfinals as the winner of Group A.

If Vietnam loses by more than two goals, their chances of advancing will depend on tiebreakers and the results of the other match in the group.

The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to appoint an experienced Australian officiating crew underscores a calculated strategy to ensure regulatory integrity in a fixture with significant group-stage implications. By selecting officials from a federation noted for its stringent disciplinary standards—and one that occupies a neutral position in the traditional Southeast Asia versus West Asia rivalry—the AFC aims to mitigate the risk of officiating controversies that have frequently clouded continental competitions.

The selection of Katherine Margaret Jacewicz to lead the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth is a focal point of this administrative approach. Her appointment serves as a dual-purpose signal: it advances the AFC’s commitment to meritocracy and gender diversity in elite football while leveraging her established track record in high-pressure environments.

Furthermore, the assignment of Assistant VAR Luk Kin Sun to his third consecutive Vietnam U-23 match suggests a deliberate effort to maintain institutional consistency. This continuity likely seeks to harmonize decision-making by utilizing an official already familiar with the team’s tactical tendencies and physical playstyle. Taken together, these high-level personnel assignments indicate that the AFC views this match as a critical pivot point for the tournament’s standings, requiring a sophisticated level of oversight to match its competitive stakes.

U.23 Vietnam matches have become marquee events for the Vietnamese-American community. This upcoming deciding game is set to be the main topic of conversation across Little Saigon’s cafes, phở restaurants, and social media feeds. More than just a sporting event, it serves as a powerful cultural bridge, fostering a shared sense of pride and connection among the diaspora.