Stephanie Frappart becomes first female ref of World Cup in Germany v Costa Rica

At football's showpiece tournament, the officials will have the chance to make history on the world's biggest stage.

Advertisement

Stephanie Frappart will become the first woman to referee a match at the men's World Cup in what is the latest trailblazing moment of her stellar career.

The Frenchwoman has already made history at the Qatar tournament after serving as the fourth official for Mexico's 0-0 draw with Poland last week.

Frappart will lead an all-female on-field team with Brazil's Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina for the Group E clash between Germany and Costa Rica.

Advertisement

Who is Stephanie Frappart?

Frappart is a 38-year-old referee whose career so far has made a huge impact on female officials all over the world.

She has her name written all over the record books, with her achievements including a whole variety of impressive firsts.

In 2011, Frappart officiated in the French third division before three years later making the step up to Ligue 2, becoming the first female to do so.

Advertisement

The Frenchwoman was then called up to referee alongside a full selection of female officials at the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada.

Advertisement

In 2019, Frappart then became the first female to ever referee in Ligue 1 before being called up to the Women's World Cup once again.

She would be appointed as the referee for the final of the tournament.

Advertisement

This would lead to even more huge accomplishments later that year after the French official was appointed for the men's UEFA Super Cup.

Frappart became the first-ever female referee to take charge of a men's European fixture by doing this before also becoming the first female official of a men's Champions League game.

She then was appointed as the referee for the 2022 Coupe de France Final in May and she took charge of Nantes's 1-0 win over Nice at the Stade de France.

Advertisement

Finally, earlier this year she was named among the referees that would be heading to Qatar alongside other female officials.

"The men's World Cup is the most important competition in the world, not only football," She told the Athletic.

"But I was the first female referee in France, the first in Europe, every time the first. I know how to deal with that."

How many female referees are at the World Cup?

Advertisement

There are three female referees involved in the 36 that were selected for the 2022 World Cup.

Frappart will be joined in Qatar by Japanese and Rwandan officials Yoshimi Yamashita and Salima Mukasanga.