FIFA World Cup 2022: Six female referees set to create history at Qatar FIFA World Cup

For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA has announced that the Qatar World Cup will witness female referees officiating matches.

Three female referees along with three assistant female referees have been chosen for officiating matches at the FIFA World Cup 2022. The three female referees are Stephanie Frappart of France, Yamashita Yoshimi of Japan and Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda; Kathryn Nesbitt of USA, Chris Beath of Australia and Ismail Elfath of the USA are the other three referees.

As per the rules, all 6 referees will have to pass the same fitness test as men and will be held to the same performance standards as their male counterparts. An elated Kathryn Nesbitt of the USA said, 'we feel like one referee team here no difference, man or woman'

Pierlugi Collina, Chairman FIFA referees' committee said that the female referees would be eligible to officiate in every match and there would be no restrictions of any kind for the match officials. Collina also stated that depending on how the referees perform in the fitness tests, they'd be given the opportunity to officiate matches.

While the Qatar World Cup has been a talking point for a lot of people due to various controversies surrounding the event, Women getting a chance at football's biggest stage and in a country with strict laws for women is an opportunity for FIFA to break stereotypes and pave a way for more inclusive way for women in the sport.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Will the infamous Champions' curse strike France once again?