The 2022 World Cup is approaching the end of the group stage phase, and history is about to be made.
Referee Stephanie Frappart has been selected to be in the middle for the Group E clash between Costa Rica and Germany. That match takes place on Thursday evening at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar.
Frappart’s selection is a historic moment in the world of football, as she becomes the first female referee to take charge of a World Cup finals match. She will be joined by Neuza Back and Karen Diaz as her assistants.
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The 38-year-old has already been involved in the tournament in the Middle East, having been the fourth official on a couple of occasions. But this is the first time that Frappart will be the referee for a match at this year’s competition.
So what more do we know about Stephanie Frappart?
Born in France, Frappart predominantly referees in her home country and in particular Ligue 1. This season she has refereed six French top flight matches, handing out 29 yellow cards, two red cards and awarding one penalty kick.
Having moved her way through the refereeing ranks in France by officiating in Ligue 2 and cup matches, her first opportunity in the top flight came in April 2019. Since then, Frappart has been a regular official on the Ligue 1 stage.
More recently, the referee has been awarded matches in Europe. Her debut on the continental stage came in the UEFA Super Cup tie between Liverpool and Chelsea in August 2019, which the Reds won on a penalty shootout.
Since then, Frappart has officiated matches both in the Europa League and Champions League. Her first match in charge of Europe’s elite cup competition came in December 2020 in a group stage fixture between Juventus and Dynamo Kyiv.
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