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Wednesday, October 22, 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.

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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.

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