France’s Frappart to become first female World Cup referee

Stephanie Frappart will make history on Thursday when she becomes the first female referee to officiate a men’s World Cup match.

The 38-year-old French will lead an all-female team in the game, featuring Costa Rica and Germany with Brazils’ Neuza Back and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina named as her assistants.

Frappart has already became the first woman to take charge of matches in each of French Ligue 1, the Champions League and World Cup qualifying.

She boasts experience in the Champions League and European World Cup qualifiers, while she was also referee of the 2022 Coupe de France final and 2019 women’s World Cup final.

Thursday’s match will have huge bearings on which teams qualify from Group E. Costa Rica and Germany currently sit third and fourth respectively.

History is set to be made on Thursday! 🤩

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There will be an all-female refereeing trio taking charge for the first time at a men's #FIFAWorldCup in the match between Costa Rica and Germany.

Referee Stéphanie Frappart will be joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz. 👏 pic.twitter.com/fgHfh2DICK

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022