Meet the first ever all-female World Cup refereeing team trends now
An all-female refereeing team will make history tonight when they take charge of a men's World Cup game for the first time.
French official Stéphanie Frappart will take the whistle for the crucial Group E clash between Germany and Costa Rica in Qatar, assisted by Neuza Back of Brazil and Mexico's Karen Diaz Medina.
The milestone appointments have been welcomed by both managers, with Germany coach Hansi Flick saying he trusts the officials '100 per cent', while Costa Rica boss Luis Fernando Suarez described it as a major step forward for the 'very sexist' football industry.
Frappart, 38, is no stranger to refereeing big games, having taken charge of matches in the Champions League as well as the 2019 Uefa Super League final between Liverpool and Chelsea.
French official Stéphanie Frappart will take the whistle for the crucial Group E clash between Germany and Costa Rica in Qatar
Neuza Back works out seven days a week, weightlifting and running at least 6km a day in her home of Jundiai, São Paulo
But football's flagship international competition, with the eyes of the world watching, represents a significant step up.
Back has come a long way from being grabbed by the neck by a pitch invader, and being publicly humiliated by Brazil's 1970 hero, Jairzinho, who told her she should 'go do the laundry' after a controversial decision in the Copa do Brasil - comments he later apologised for.
The 38-year-old works out seven days a week, weightlifting and running at least 6km a day in her home of Jundiai, São Paulo.
She also meticulously studies videos of games, including her own, often analysing tight offside calls to see were she can improve - an attitude that has seen her rack up 100 games in the Brazilian top flight.
Meanwhile, for Diaz Medina, also 38, it is the apex of a rags-to-riches story, which began with her officiating games as a youngster in Aguascalientes for just 55 pesos (£2.34).
Assistant referees can earn some €2,500 (£2,141) for each World Cup group game they are involved in, according to reports.
Diaz Medina's first experience of refereeing came by chance when she was asked to fill in for an official who didn't turn up while she was working at a snack shack at a sports centre.
Despite also boasting a degree in agro-industrial engineering, football has always been her biggest passion, and she made history in 2020 by becoming the first female to officiate in Mexico's Liga MX final.
For Karen Diaz Medina, also 38, it is the apex of a rags-to-riches story, which began with her officiating games as a youngster in Aguascalientes for just 55 pesos (£2.34)
Stephanie Frappart was the fourth official for Portugal's clash with Ghana last week
Brazilian assistant referee Neuza Back runs on the sidelines during the FIFA Club World Cup 5th place football match between Korea's Ulsan Hyundai and Qatar's Al-Duhail at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Referee Karen Diaz Medina prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and Australia
Back has come a long way from being grabbed by the neck by a pitch invader
Frappart, the daughter of a nursery school assistant and a
