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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered the quarter-final stage, with defending champions France and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco becoming the first two teams to secure their places in the last eight, as football fever continues to sweep across Malaysia.
Despite boasting a large number of football aficionados, Malaysia has never qualified for the world’s biggest football tournament. This however doesn’t stop Malaysia from leaving its mark on the global stage.
And no, we are not talking about some players who their grandparents are born here or those who had trained in the country before making it big in other countries either. Instead we are talking about our very own referee – Subkhiddin Salleh.
That moment came in 2010, when former Malaysian FIFA referee Subkhiddin became the nation’s representative at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Speaking to TRP, the retired referee recalled that receiving the call to officiate at football’s grandest stage did not leave him overwhelmed with emotion. Instead, it brought a quiet sense of gratitude after nearly a decade of perseverance.
Shortlisted for 2006 Germany World Cup
His path to the World Cup, however, was anything but smooth.
Subkhiddin revealed that he had already been part of FIFA’s referee development programme ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany but narrowly missed out on the final selection.
“I was already in the candidate programme years before the 2006 World Cup. But at the very last minute, I wasn’t selected. Everyone else left for Germany, except me,” he recalled.
Rather than walking away from refereeing, the setback became motivation.
Over the following years, Subkhiddin continued officiating at some of FIFA’s biggest tournaments, including the Olympic Games, the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Initially, every appointment felt exciting because it was something new. But after officiating so many tournaments, it gradually became part of the routine,” he said.
Only later did he realise those appointments formed part of FIFA’s long-term assessment process for World Cup referees.
“I simply focused on giving my best in every match. I never looked too far ahead.”
When FIFA finally announced his selection for South Africa 2010, the reaction back home changed almost overnight.
“The media started calling. FAM became busy. Even the Education Ministry wanted to organise appreciation ceremonies.”
That was when the significance of becoming Malaysia’s World Cup referee truly sank in.
“Before that, I’d already officiated at many international tournaments and hardly anyone noticed. But once it was the World Cup, suddenly everybody wanted to meet me.”
“For me, it was never about celebrating. It became a responsibility. Once you’re at the World Cup, you start thinking about how far you can go and how well you can represent your country.”
Subkhiddin’s role in Kaká’s 2010 World Cup red card
Ironically, the tournament also brought disappointment for Subkhiddin.
He revealed that controversies involving officiating appointments among several European referees during the competition ultimately affected referees from other confederations.
As a result, instead of taking charge as the main referee, Subkhiddin served as the fourth official in eight World Cup matches.
Among his most memorable assignments was the tournament opener between hosts South Africa national football team and Mexico national football team.
“That match was unforgettable because world leaders and dignitaries were there. The atmosphere was simply incredible.”
He also vividly remembers one light-hearted moment involving Brazilian superstar Kaká who was issued a second yellow card by the main referee – Stéphane Lannoy from France – despite Subkhiddin’s objection.
“I told him, ‘No, no, no… no card.’ But he still showed the yellow,” he laughed.
Kaká was sent off in a Group G match against the Ivory Coast in the 2010 World Cup.
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