The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has called up Tongan soccer referee, Tevita Makasini, to be an assistant referee at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia later this month.

An experienced assistant referee, Makasini officiated one match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He has officiated games at the 2016 Rio Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, FIFA 2017 U20 World Cup (2017 and 2015) and U17 World Cup (2013 and 2009).

Makasini – who is also a tutor at Tailulu College in Nuku'alofa– was one of 63 assistant referees announced by FIFA on 29 May, to officiate games at the 2018 World Cup. Another Pacific Islander referee, Norbert Hauata of Tahiti, will also officiate games.

Assistant referees work from the sidelines, looking out for fouls and marking locations where the football goes out of bounds.

Makasini expressed his joy in a media statement published by the Oceania Football Confederation on 29 May.

 “When I received the email, my first reaction was to pray and thank the God almighty for the blessing, and to ask for his guidance and protection,”

“I will work together with my fellow officials from Oceania and of course we must do our best out there.’

“My journey to this FIFA World Cup has not been easy but Tevita Vea (head of refereeing department) and Tonga Football Association offered their support and assistance, so I wish to thank them for everything," he said.

Tonga Football Association CEO Lui ‘Aho also expressed his delight.

“The appointment of Ti Makasini to the FIFA World Cup in Russia is another milestone for Tonga Football as we are represented on the world stage,”

“This reflects the hard work of the refereeing department in nuturing and training Makasini, which consequently lifts his level of understanding of football and more so his ability to read the game and follow closely the two teams’ competing style of play,” he said.