Qatar Makes History with Female Referees at Men’s World Cup and Asian Cup

Qatar has made history by appointing female referees to officiate men’s World Cup and Asian Cup matches for the first time ever. The move is a significant step towards gender equality in sports and has been widely praised by fans and officials alike.

Female Referees at the Asian Cup 2023

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) appointed five female match officials, including two referees, to work at the Asian Cup in Qatar from January 12 to February 10, 2024. Among them was Yoshimi Yamashita from Japan, who became the first woman to officiate a men’s match at the Asian Cup when she handled the game between Australia and India on January 13, 2024.

The AFC’s decision to appoint female match officials for its marquee men’s event was hailed as a “landmark appointment” and a “significant step forward for women’s football in Asia”. The move is part of the AFC’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in football and increase the number of women in leadership positions in the sport.

Female Referees at the Men’s FIFA World Cup 2022

In addition to the Asian Cup, female referees have also been appointed to officiate at the men’s World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The decision was announced by FIFA in 2021, and three female referees were selected to officiate at the tournament. 

The appointment of female referees at the men’s World Cup and Asian Cup is a significant milestone for women in sports and a testament to the progress that has been made in recent years towards gender equality in football.

Qatar’s decision to appoint female referees to officiate men’s World Cup and Asian Cup matches is a historic moment for women in sports. The move is a significant step towards gender equality in football and has been widely praised by fans and officials alike. As more women are given opportunities to participate in leadership roles in sports, we can expect to see continued progress toward a more inclusive and diverse sporting world.