Stéphanie Frappart, the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, has joined UEFA as a full-time refereeing officer. The landmark appointment sees the 42-year-old Frenchwoman step away from the pitch to shape the next generation of match officials across European competition.
Stéphanie Frappart Takes on UEFA Refereeing Role
UEFA confirmed on Thursday that Frappart will train match officials and assist in appointing them to games throughout their competitions. She steps into the role previously held by Czech official Dagmar Damková, herself a respected figure in European refereeing circles. It is a natural next chapter for someone who has spent years dismantling barriers in the sport.
Frappart’s CV reads like a greatest-hits of firsts. She became the first woman to take charge of a Ligue 1 fixture in France, then broke through at the highest level of club football when UEFA appointed her to a men’s Champions League match. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, she handled Germany’s 4-2 group stage victory over Costa Rica — a moment that genuinely shifted the conversation around women officials in men’s football.
A Legacy Built on Historic Firsts
Beyond the men’s game, Frappart’s record in women’s football is equally formidable. She refereed the 2019 Women’s World Cup final and, more recently, took charge of the 2025 European Championship final. That is the kind of consistency that earns real respect in refereeing communities worldwide.
Meanwhile, the 2025 men’s World Cup continues to push boundaries on the pitch. American official Tori Penso refereed her second match of the tournament on Thursday, as Germany faced Ecuador. Penso had previously taken charge of South Africa’s 1-1 draw with Czechia. The trail Frappart blazed clearly runs far and wide.
Frappart’s move into administration feels significant. Her influence will now extend far beyond any single match. European football is getting one of its most trailblazing figures working behind the scenes — and that can only be a good thing for the game.