Tonga’s very own Assistant Referee Folio Moeaki was one of three referees appointed from the OFC region to officiate in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 hosted in Argentina. New Zealand’s Campell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh is the only inside referee appointed while Bernard Mutukera of Solomon Islands will join Moeaki in the sideline as Assistant Referees.
Every FIFA Competition Moeaki takes part on is always a new challenge in terms of law changes, new players, venues, and crowd but the atmosphere and nature of the FIFA-U20 World Cup Competition will much more likely a refresher as this will be his second Tour on a FIFA U-20 World Cup. Moeaki first officiated in a FIFA World Cup in 2017 in the FIFA-U17 World Cup in India. He was then appointed again to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019 held in Poland.
“Though this is my second FIFA U-20 World Cup to take part on, I am very excited and looking forward to officiate in my first game tomorrow. I am confident that with my experiences and trainings along my career, I will do a good job in tomorrow’s game so as my fellow Referees”.
For, Folio Moeaki the road to refereeing has been a long one. He is a well known former Tonga international player and has a long career playing the game. The 40-year-old has been refereeing in the Oceania region since 2012 and have several continental competition on his shoulders.
Folio Moeaki is healthy and well in Argentina and is looking forward to make his first appearance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 as Assistant Referee for Gambia vs Honduras tomorrow morning in Mendoza, Argentina.
Moeaki was last assistant referee in a friendly between New Zealand and China on March in New Zealand.
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