• Loading stock data...
Saturday, December 13, 2025

First All-Female Referee Team To Take Pitch During A Men’s World Cup

  • On Wednesday, all three referees at a men’s World Cup match will be women, according to FIFA.
  • The milestone is particularly significant given that it is taking place in Qatar, a country that severely curtails women’s rights.
Field level view of match during 2022 Qatar World Cup
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, all three referees at a men’s World Cup match will be women, according to FIFA.

The Costa Rica-Germany Group E match on Thursday will feature Karen Dia, Neuza Back, and Stephanie Frappart — the main referee. 

While this isn’t the first time FIFA has employed female referees — Frappart herself worked a qualifying-round game earlier this year — it is the first time an entire team will feature women at the event.

USWNT

USMNT’s World Cup Win Pays Off for USWNT

An equal pay settlement is paying dividends for the USWNT.
November 30, 2022

The milestone is particularly significant given that it’s taking place during a World Cup in Qatar,  a country that severely curtails women’s rights.

In addition to the group working Thursday’s match, there are two other female referees at the tournament: Yamashita Yoshimi and Salima Mukansanga.

The match will determine whether Germany will advance to the Round of 16 — it needs a victory and likely a Spain victory over Japan.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

World Cup Tourists Could Have to Show 5 Years of Social Media

The proposed changes would largely impact European travelers.
Gianni Infantino

Fox Quiet on In-Game Commercial Breaks in New World Cup Format

The breaks will happen regardless of conditions.

Garber Signals MLS’s Next Chapter As Owners Begin Succession Process

MLS owners begin a formal planning process regarding several key positions.
Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino on stage during the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.

FIFA’s Wild World Cup Draw: A-List Stars, Heads of State, and Trump

The lavish ceremony will feature plenty of celebrities and heads of state.

Featured Today

Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena

The Lucrative NBA Cup Is Here to Stay

The in-season tournament, launched in 2023, is turning into a staple.
The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
December 7, 2025

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Big League Wiffle Ball
November 29, 2025

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.
November 24, 2025

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.
Jul 30, 2022; Irvine, CA, USA; A general view of the official NFL balls on the field during Los Angeles Rams training camp at University of California Irvine.

Saudi Arabia Wants to Bring American Football to the Middle East

The Middle Eastern nation wants to host major football events.
Noah Lyles (USA) wins the men’s 100m final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, Monday, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
September 22, 2025

Summer Olympics Face a Climate-Induced Heat Check

The World Athletics president says the status quo is not sustainable.
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; British and United States flags on the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
September 29, 2025

From Dublin to London: Vikings on NFL’s First Multi-Country Road Trip

The Jaguars have previously played consecutive games in the U.K.
Sponsored

20 Years of Coastal Cool: How Johnnie-O Became a Force in Golf,..

A style movement powering one of the fastest-growing brands in sports and lifestyle.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.
February 12, 2025

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.