World Cup referees took part in media day and practice session in Doha on Friday, with the Chairman of FIFA’s Referee’s committee Pierluigi Collina, ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA referees have prepared for the tournament with a training session at the Qatar Sports Club. Salima Mukansanga, from Rwanda, is one of the three female referees who will make history by officiating at a men’s World Cup for the first time in Qatar.
“First of all, men’s World Cup is the biggest event in football worldwide, and within the Arabian countries, something very very special, it’s good to seize the moment, and we women being here, we are super proud being part of referees family Team One,” said Mukansanga.
Referees were trained to use the semi-automated offside technology, which is a support tool for the on-field staff to help them make faster and more accurate offside decisions. Australian referee Christopher James Beath commented about the importance of technology in the World Cup.
“The technology that we have available to us at this World Cup is exceptional,” he explained, adding that “we’ll reduce the speed taken for some of their offside decisions, but some of the other technology that VAR has at their disposal is a real benefit for us as match officials.”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. Qatar is going to be the first Arab country to host the World Cup.
