Next month’s Copa America will mark the first time the continental men’s football tournament will feature female referees, announced South America’s soccer governing body (CONMEBOL) on Friday. The game, running from June 20 to July 14 and hosted by the United States, will include 101 match officials, with eight being women.

Next month’s Copa America will be the first edition of the continental men’s football tournament to have female referees.

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Copa America, which runs from June 20 to July 14 hosted by the United States, will have a total of 101 match officials, including eight women.#CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/SMM2Y5NIeY

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“This is a significant commitment undertaken by CONMEBOL since 2016,” CONMEBOL said in a statement.

“Aiming at the development and professionalization of more women on and off the field, promoting gender equality in various tournaments.” the statement added.

Copa America Script History

Brazil’s Edina Alves and the United States’ Maria Victoria Penso will serve as referees. They will be supported by Tatiana Guzman, who is a VAR official from Nicaragua. Additionally, Brazilian Neuza Back, Mary Blanco from Colombia, Migdalia Rodriguez from Venezuela, and Americans Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt will act as assistant referees.

In 2021, Alves made history as the first woman to referee a senior men’s FIFA tournament at the Club World Cup. Both Back and Nesbitt officiated during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Penso, Mayo, and Nesbitt have also been selected as match officials for the 2024 Olympic football tournament in France.

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