A total of 107 referees , including six women selected on the basis of their level and their performance in the six FIFA member confederations, are officiating the ongoing Women’s Football World Cup.
There are 33 female central referees, 55 assistant referees and 19 video assistant referees. Among the central referees, four are African women who are the pride of their various countries while serving as sources of inspiration for young women.
Kari Seitz, Head of the FIFA Women’s Refereeing Department, assures that the football body has enabled the 170 starting candidates to undergo intensive preparation, for example by taking part in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, or even during the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup:
“We have physical trainers who follow them (women’s refereeing candidates) throughout the four years. We have dedicated technical coaches, that is to say hired, to work with them on a monthly basis, as well as medical support. Everything they absolutely need to prepare to go forward.”
Among the field referees, four Africans have been selected, the Rwandan Salma Mukansanga present in Qatar as an assistant, the Togolese Vincentia Amédomé, the Moroccan Bouchra Karboubi, and the South African Akhona Zennith Makalima.
The Women’s World Cup is being held from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand with the participation of four African nations: Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa and Zambia.