Mayra Madrigal
Woman referees will participate for the first time in a men’s World Cup.
Qatar 2022 will be a historic World Cup in different aspects and for different reasons. Unlike all previous editions of the FIFA World Cup, this time it will not be played in the months of June and July, but in November and December. Besides, it will be the first World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East, thus, that is the reason why the dates were changed. The months of June and July are too hot in Qatar and given the high temperatures it would be very difficult to play football.
And, what’s more, there is another important aspect that is undoubtedly one of the most worth highlighting: Qatar 2022 will be the first World Cup in which woman referees will participate. This World Cup has been subject to criticism due to being held in a country where human rights are not respected. Especially, in the specific case of women, and that is the reason the participation of female referees is such good news.
FIFA presented the list of referees who will participate in Qatar 2022 and 6 female referees appear. Do you want to know who they are?
These Are the Six Female Referees Who Will Participate in Qatar 2022:
1.- Stephanie Frappart – France
The 38-year-old Frenchwoman continues to make history in the world of women’s refereeing. Perhaps, of the six female referees who appear on the list of those who will go to Qatar 2022, she is the best known: she became the first woman to be an assistant in a European Championship match in Turkey vs. Italy. She was also the first woman to lead a match in the French top division. In addition, she directed the actions in the final of the Women’s World Cup in France 2019 between the United States and the Netherlands.
2.- Salima Mukansanga – Rwanda
The Rwandan will also make history in the World Cup. This year she became the first woman to lead in the African Cup. Like Frappart, she participated in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, but there’s something else to her story: she was the first woman from Rwanda to whistle in an Olympics match last summer.
3.- Karen Díaz Medina – Mexico
The Mexican Karen Díaz joins the female referees who will make history in this World Cup, since after having a long career in Mexican soccer as an assistant, she will now have the opportunity to participate in the World Cup. Díaz has directed in the female Liga MX, in Ascenso MX, and in Liga MX, where in December 2020 she entered the history books by being the first woman in the refereeing body that directed the final between Pumas and León.
4.- Yoshimi Yamashita – Japan
The Japanese has participated throughout her career in junior women’s tournaments, but what marked a turning point in her career was the opportunity to officiate in an Asian Confederation Champions League match. She was the whistler in the clash between Melbourne City FC vs. Jeonnam Dragons, and was the first woman in history to referee a match in that tournament.
5.- Neuza Back – Brazil
The Brazilian Neuza Back also has the honor of participating in Qatar 2022, just as she had in the Tokyo Olympics last year. She was an assistant at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, and also participated in the Final of the Paulista Championship in 2020 between Corinthians and Palmeiras.
6.- Kathryn Nesbitt – United States
The American Kathryn Nesbitt has become known for participating as an assistant in the MLS, after having done so in the women’s league. In March 2021, her name was written in the history books of Concacaf refereeing, as she became the first woman to be an assistant in a Concacaf World Cup Qualifying match, during the duel between Canada and Bermuda.
