Rabat, Morocco – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the appointment of four Moroccan women as part of the refereeing team for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024, set to take place from July 5 to 26.
Record Number of Officials Selected
In a historic move, central referees Bouchra Karboubi and Sabah Sadir will be joined by assistant referees Fathia Jermoumi and Ihssane Nouajli. This year’s officiating squad includes 46 members, surpassing the previous total of 40 from the 2022 tournament.
Composition of the Officiating Team
The final officiating list from CAF comprises:
- 18 referees
- 18 assistant referees
- 10 Video Assistant Referees (VAR)
These officials represent 30 different countries, with Morocco providing the largest contingent of on-field referees.
Trailblazing Achievements
Bouchra Karboubi made headlines earlier this year by becoming the first North African woman to officiate a men’s Africa Cup of Nations match during the Guinea-Bissau vs. Nigeria game in Côte d’Ivoire. She is also set to referee at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic football events, and recently officiated the Group C opener featuring Spain and Japan.
Meanwhile, Sabah Sadir has gained valuable experience by officiating youth World Cup qualifiers, enhancing her profile within CAF and FIFA competitions. Jermoumi and Nouajli have also progressed through the domestic ranks, garnering continental acknowledgment.
Support for Women’s Refereeing Development
The selection of these four officials highlights the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s commitment to fostering female referees in the sport. According to Eddy Maillet, CAF Director of Refereeing, “Africa has made serious leaps in the development of women match officials… To fine-tune the last details, we are organising a preparation course for all the referees of the competition, starting from June 25 in Rabat.”
Second Hosting for Morocco
WAFCON will return to Morocco for its second consecutive edition, following the successful 2022 tournament, which saw the Atlas Lionesses qualify for their first-ever Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Match Venues
This year’s matches are set to be held across six stadiums in five cities:
- Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
- Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca
- Olympic Stadium, Rabat
- El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia
- Honor Stadium, Oujda
- Municipal Stadium, Berkane
