Japan's first female World Cup referee primed for action

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STORY: Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita is set to make history

as one of the first women referees to officiate at the men's World Cup in Qatar

(Yoshimi Yamashita, Japanese referee)

"For us women to participate in the men's World Cup for the first time is sending a message that there are more possibilities for women in the future. I myself feel it all the time."

"I feel pressure to earn everyone's trust and make that happen."

Yamashita officiated at the 2019 Women's World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

She says her presence in a traditionally male-dominated event

shows that new possibilities are opening up for women

(Yoshimi Yamashita, Japanese referee) "There are barely any female referees in the Middle East, and it would be wonderful to see even just one more female referee after the Qatar World Cup."