Female referees will officially participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The announcement came from FIFA on May 19. It’ll be the first time in the competition’s 92-year history. A total of six female referees were cut. Three of them will serve as match referees, during three as assistants.
Plans to include female referees in a FIFA World Cup started long back. Notably, female referees have been a part of big matches of late. However, FIFA World Cup is a grand stage in football. Millions around the world watch the tournament. The female referees will aim to cement their place in the future.
Pierluigi Collina is one of football’s all-time great referees. Currently, he is the Chairman of FIFA’s Referee Committee. He says that FIFA’s focus is on quality and not gender. He added that he hopes such decisions are normalized.
The Qatar world cup received a lot of backlashes. This was down to the poor treatment of migrant workers. But, FIFA’s latest move is widely praised. The women will hope to leave their mark.
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Female referees in Qatar FIFA World Cup: Know who they are
The six-women list was released on Thursday. France’s Stéphanie Frappart is the most popular of the lot. Frappart is a regular in France’s Ligue 1 from 2019. She is a deserving name on the female referees in the FIFA World Cup list. Primarily due to the records she holds. Frappart was the first woman to officiate in the men’s Champions League. Furthermore, her CV includes the Men’s World Cup qualifiers.
Japanese Yoshimi Yamashita also makes a list. Her experience includes the Women’s World Cup and the Olympic games. Notably, she is in the history books as AFC Champion’s League’s first female official.
Furthermore, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda will be in Qatar as well. Her portfolio boasts of some impressive records. Notably, the Africa Cup of Nations is a significant event in football. And she is the first woman to referee in the competition. Her other important events include the Women’s World Cup and Olympics.
Also, the World Cup in Qatar will feature three more female assistant referees. Neuza Back from Brazil is a popular pick. Also, Mexican Karen Díaz Medina will be present. Lastly, Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States of America completes the list.
When is the world cup?
The prospect of fresh faces is an exciting take for football fans. Moreover, female referees in the FIFA World Cup are a welcome change. The first match of the tournament is on November 21, 2022. Eventually, the final will take place on December 18.