Staubli named first female referee to officiate at FIFA U-17 World Cup

Esther Staubli will officiate the match between Japan and New Caledonia in Kolkata on October 14.

Esther Staubli of Switzerland will be the first woman referee to officiate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Esther Staubli is set to become the first female referee to officiate a match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017. She has been appointed as the referee for the October 14 Group E fixture between Japan and New Caledonia at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata.

Switzerland's Staubli is one of seven women referees invited to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India.

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Staubli, who has been in the FIFA Referees list since 2006, has officiated in the Women’s EURO 2017 Final, Women’s Champions League Final as well as the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015.

According to FIFA, high-level competition matches are often limited during the year in their respective regions and so such opportunities are crucial as the referees prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.

"In having the opportunity to now work together with their male colleagues at the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, FIFA’s female referees are one step further in their preparation and in their careers at the top level," the FIFA said in a release.