A female referee is set to take charge of a men’s World Cup match for the first time.
Stéphanie Frappart will make history when she takes to the field to oversee proceedings during the Germany vs Costa Rica game on Thursday night.
FIFA has also selected two women as assistants to Frappart – Neuza Back of Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina – to complete the first all-female on-field refereeing team.
Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States will also be working at the Al Bayt Stadium as the offside specialist in the video review team.
Frappart, from France, has previously conducted fourth official duties at the tournament but will taking centre stage in Al Khor.
The 38-year-old has been promoted in the men’s game by European soccer body UEFA and in her home country.
Frappart refereed men’s games in World Cup qualifying and the Champions League, and this year’s men’s French Cup final.
Marcus Rashford shines as Gareth Southgate’s England selection headache comes to the fore against Wales – World Cup hits and misses
Marcus Rashford a ‘completely different version’ to how he was at Euros, says England boss Gareth Southgate
Phil Foden stars for England against Wales: World Cup goal from the left reflects Man City man’s game right now
She also took charge of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final for FIFA.
Germany are in need of a win on Thursday to have any hope of not repeating their failure in Russia in 2018 and crashing out at the group stage.
Hansi Flick’s squad are currently last in Group E following a shock defeat to Japan in their opening game.
A late equaliser from Niclas Füllkrug secured an invaluable point against Spain in their second match, but Die Mannschaft still have it all to do in the final group stage game, with even a win not enough to guarantee qualification.
On top of beating Costa Rica, the four-time world champions have to hope Spain beat Japan.
