2022 World Cup: Stephanie Frappart becomes first female official at men's World Cup

In 2022 World Cup news, Stephanie Frappart became the first female official at a men's World Cup in Mexico's Group C clash against Poland on Tuesday.

Frappart was one of three women to be included on the list of referees for the World Cup in Qatar -- the first time female referees will feature at FIFA's showpiece tournament.

The French referee served as the fourth official in Mexico-Poland at Stadium 974, making history in the process.

Frappart has broken new ground before as a female referee. She became the first woman to referee a men's Champions League game in 2020 when she took charge of Juventus' match against Dynamo Kyiv.

She has also taken charge of games in Ligue 1, the Europa League, men's World Cup qualifying and the UEFA Supercup final between Chelsea and Liverpool in 2019.

"I will go there for the competition. I wouldn't go there for the environment," Frappart said regarding the strict environment involving women in Qatar. "But perhaps this World Cup will improve women's rights in the country."

Two more women, Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita, 36, and Rwanda's Salima Mukasanga, 34, will also officiate matches during the 2022 World Cup. 

Legendary official Pierluigi Collina, who is the head of the referees' committee, stated that these women were not picked due to their gender.

Collina added that these three women were also be permitted to officiate matches in countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia that have strict laws pertaining to women's rights.

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