
<p>For the first time in the history of the men’s <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a>, a referee team will be an entirely female crew. The trio will be on the field for the group stage matchup between <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/costa-rica-national-team-tv-schedule/">Costa Rica</a> and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> on Thursday.</p>



<p>Led by Stephanie Frappart, the three officials also include Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina. Frappart will be the first woman to referee at a men’s World Cup. She also became the first female official at the tournament when she was the fourth official during the Mexico and Poland game last week.</p>



<h2>Female referee team understands understands World Cup pressure</h2>



<p>Frappart previously spoke about the historic implications of the occasion. “We know the pressure,” Frappart <a href="https:\/\/www.bbc.com/sport/football/63801583" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> BBC Sport before the start of the tournament.</p>



<p>“But I think we will not change ourselves. Be calm, focused, concentrate, and don’t think too much about the media and everything, just be focused on the field.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">History is set to be made on Thursday! 🤩<br><br>There will be an all-female refereeing trio taking charge for the first time at a men&apos;s <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> in the match between Costa Rica and Germany.<br><br>Referee Stéphanie Frappart will be joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz.&nbsp;👏 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/fgHfh2DICK">pic.twitter.com/fgHfh2DICK</a></p>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1597878126142439425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The Frenchwoman was also asked about the support she has received during matches as well. “Since I started I was always supported by teams, clubs and players,” stated Frappart. “I was always welcome in the stadium so I feel like another referee inside the pitch. I was always welcome, so I think I will be welcome as before.”</p>



<h5>Flick praises Frappart ahead of game</h5>



<p>Germany head coach Hansi Flick fully backed Frappart during his press conference on Wednesday. “I have 100% trust in the referee,”&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.goal.com/en-us/news/germany-costa-rica-referee-stephanie-frappart-100-per-cent-trust-flick-history-making-world-cup-debut/bltd227fef60b42deaf">proclaimed</a> the German coach. “She deserves it because of her performances. I hope she’s looking forward to the game as much as we are. We all hope we’ll see a good performance tomorrow.”</p>



<p>Frappart also previously became the first female to referee a UEFA Champions League match as well. The upcoming World Cup fixture on Thursday comes nearly two years to the day as the game between Juventus and Dynamo Kyiv in 2020.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Xinhua</em></p>


Thursday's World Cup matchup between Costa Rica and Germany will feature an all female referee team for the first time.

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World Cup 2022

First full female referee crew to work men's World Cup match