In first, Palestinian female soccer referee selected for Women's World Cup contest

Heba Saadia to officiate as an assistant referee for 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand

Global soccer’s governing body has selected, for the first time, a female Palestinian referee to officiate at matches in the Women’s World Cup tournament next year, according to Arabic media reports.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) said that Heba Saadia will serve as an assistant referee during the contest, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

The announcement was reportedly made on Saturday, although the selection was reported earlier last week on social media.

There are usually two assistant referees, formerly known as lineswomen, at each match. Their purpose is to determine which side gets play of the ball when it moves outside the field’s boundaries, as well as to advise the match referee on any rule violations observed during play.

Saadia was an assistant referee at the women’s Asian Cup held last year in India and at the group stage of the continental 2022 AFC Cup held in Vietnam, organized by the Asian Football Confederation.

She was also an assistant referee at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup this year in Costa Rica.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has appointed Palestinian international referee Heba Saadia to officiate matches during the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023. pic.twitter.com/9ZnWUH0LfJ

— Al-Jarmaq News (@Aljarmaqnetnews) December 24, 2022