First female referee appointed at men's World Cup

By Administrator
30th November 2022

Stephanie Frappart will lead the first-ever all-women's team to officiate a men's FIFA World Cup match, when they control proceedings at Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday.

FIFA announced on Tuesday night that Frappart will take charge of the all-important Group E fixture between Germany and Costa Rica.

France's Frappart will be assisted by Neuza Ines Back of Brazil and Karen Diaz of Mexico, who are among three female assistant referees at in Qatar.

Assistant referee Neuza Ines Back of Brazil

Karen Diaz, assistant referee from Mexico

She is one of three women referees among the 36 selected for the tournament in Qatar, alongside Rwandan official Salima Mukansanga and Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita.

Refereeing her first men's World Cup match is the latest step in a rapid rise to the top level in Europe for the 38-year-old Frappart.

She was the first woman to referee in France's Ligue 1 in 2019, the same year she took charge of the women's World Cup final in her home country.

Frappart also officiated the 2019 UEFA Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea, before refereeing the Champions League in 2020 and then the French Cup final last season.

tba/ep/lh/td/gj