French referee Stéphanie Fraupart will lead a first-ever all-female officiating team for a men’s World Cup match on Thursday. For the first time ever, Frapart will handle the Germany v Costa Rica FIFA World Cup match in Qatar tomorrow.
The 38-year-old referee was promoted to the men’s game by European football body UEFA. Frapart has refereed men’s games in World Cup qualifying and the Champions League, and this year’s men’s French Cup final. She also officiated the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final for FIFA.
FIFA announced that Brazil’s Núja Bacque and Mexico’s Karen Díaz would assist Medina Fraparte and be part of an all-female refereeing team on the field.
The historic appointments were made by FIFA for the 44th of the 64 sports being played in Qatar.
With the group stage matches of the FIFA World Cup in its final stages, 7 countries have already qualified for the Round of 16 to be held in Qatar. France was the first team to qualify. Brazil and Portugal followed them. On Tuesday, the Netherlands beat the hosts 2-0 to seal their place in the pre-quarterfinal round. Senegal secured their place in the round of last 16 by defeating Ecuador 2–1.
Qatar, Canada, Ecuador, Iran and Wales have pulled out of the race.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 began on 20 November in Qatar. It is the first time that the biggest football tournament is taking place in the Middle East. A total of 32 teams participated in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 is being broadcast live in India on Sports 18. However, football fans can also live stream the tournament online on the Jio TV app.
Read also: FIFA World Cup knockout matches: Here is the list of teams that have qualified for Round of 16
