Mukansanga Makes History As First African Woman Referee At Men’s World Cup
Football experts say Africans will fondly remember the 2022 FIFA World Cup for several reasons, among them being the inclusion of Salima Radia Mukansanga, a female Rwandan referee who made history in Qatar by being the first African female to officiate a World Cup fixture.
Mukansanga was a first-division Rwandan referee with over four years of experience in Rwanda’s Premier League. She equipped herself with the skills to oversee international fixtures, including at the 2022 African Cup of Nations tournament where she performed well and oversaw several games.
Her performance at AFCON likely attracted the attention of FIFA and led to her opportunity to officiate at the World Cup. As sports reporter Eddie Nsabimana stated, “Mukansanga is not at the World Cup by chance neither is she there because she is a woman, she is there because she is exceptional at what she does.”
Mukansanga Among First Women Officials In World Cup History
For the first time ever, FIFA listed three female referees among its 36 officials for the men’s World Cup.
Along with Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan and Stephanie Frappart of France, Mukansanga made history again by becoming the first female African referee at the men’s World Cup.
FIFA chief referee Pierluigi Collina justified the decision to include female officials, noting, “They are here not because they are women but because they are FIFA-selected match officials.”
For Mukansanga, the opportunity was “very exciting, and it’s a privilege for me. I never dreamed of going to the Men’s World Cup,” she told FIFA.com.
From Nursing To Pioneering On The Pitch
A nurse by profession, the 34-year-old Mukansanga had been a FIFA referee since 2012. She had significant experience officiating high-level international matches, including at the 2021 Olympics.
However, her journey into refereeing began early, facing many obstacles along the way as a young female referee often the only woman among dozens of men.
“No other girl continued. It is a difficult thing because there were times when I was feeling discouraged,” Mukansanga reflected. Issues like dress codes also presented challenges for her and other early female referees.
Regardless, Mukansanga defied the odds. She took inspiration from attending local matches in her Rwandan hometown, gaining proper certification in 2012. More international assignments soon followed.
Now, as the first female among six African World Cup referees, Mukansanga hopes to inspire girls around the globe: “Wherever you are coming from, don’t feel shy. Don’t feel depressed. Don’t let anyone ever say that you will never get there.”
Qatar Makes History With Female World Cup Referees
The 2022 World Cup was full of firsts, including being the first held in the Middle East and the first to feature female referees.
Of 36 total officials, six were women – three referees and three assistant referees. These trailblazers, including Mukansanga, made history by officiating matches and upholding FIFA regulations at the highest level of men’s football.
Her fellow referees included France’s Stéphanie Frappart, an accomplished official with experience in Ligue 1 and European competitions, and Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita.
After 92 years of only men refereeing at the World Cup, these women shattered gender barriers on soccer’s biggest stage. Their journey to Qatar has not been easy, but their skills and dedication are second to none.
