Three female referees set to officiate at World Cup in Qatar

Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita, Stephanie Frappart of France, and Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda are in a pool of 36 referees listed for Qatar

EXPERIENCED: Stephanie Frappart is among three women on the list of 36 officials for the tournament. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita knows that being one of three women picked to officiate matches at the World Cup — the first time a woman will be in charge on the game’s biggest stage — is not simply about soccer.

Stephanie Frappart of France and Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda must be of the same mind. They are in a pool of 36 referees listed for Qatar — the rest are all men. FIFA has also named three female assistant referees in a pool of 69: Neuza Back of Brazil, Karen Diaz Medina of Mexico and Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States.