FIFA has confirmed the full list of match officials selected for the 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup, which is set to take place in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November.
The announcement comes as preparations intensify for what will be a historic edition of the tournament.
A total of 54 match officials—18 central referees and 36 assistant referees—have been chosen from 36 different FIFA member associations to officiate at the event.
This year’s tournament marks a major shift in format and scope, as it expands from 16 to 24 participating teams and begins a five-edition residency in Morocco.
“This expansion of the tournament is another opportunity for referees to demonstrate their ability to meet the demands of modern football,” said Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb, FIFA’s Head of Women’s Refereeing. “It’s a valuable platform for match officials and players alike to grow and showcase their potential on the global stage.”
In line with FIFA’s commitment to innovation, the tournament will also adopt the Football Video Support (FVS) system—a more streamlined and cost-effective alternative to the traditional Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
FVS, which has already been tested at previous youth tournaments, allows coaches a limited number of challenges for key moments such as goals, penalties, straight red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.
Unlike VAR, FVS does not rely on dedicated video match officials, making it more accessible for youth competitions.
Central referees selected:
AFC (Asia):
Lara Christie Lee (Australia), Veronika Bernatskaia (Kyrgyzstan)
CAF (Africa):
Josephine Wanjiru (Kenya), Yacine Samassa (Mauritania)
CONCACAF:
Alyssa Paige Pennington (USA), Janeishka Caban Rodriguez (Puerto Rico), Lizett Amairany Garcia Olvera (Mexico), Vimarest Diaz (Dominican Republic)
CONMEBOL:
Charly Stradi (Brazil), Milagros Arruela (Peru), Paula Andrea Fernandez Ome (Colombia), Veronica Guzahambo (Ecuador)
OFC (Oceania):
Torika Delai (Fiji)
UEFA (Europe):
Alina Pesu (Romania), Ewa Augustyn (Poland), Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria), Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain), Silvia Gasperotti (Italy)
Assistant referees appointed:
From all six confederations, assistant referees include:
CAF’s Yara Atef (Egypt), Alice Umutesi (Rwanda), UEFA’s Emily Carney (England), Giulia Tempestilli (Italy), OFC’s Allys Clipsham (New Zealand), and AFC’s Heba Saadieh (Palestine), among others.
This extensive list highlights the global nature of the tournament and FIFA’s emphasis on inclusivity and representation across regions.
As Morocco readies itself for this expanded tournament, anticipation builds not only for the teams taking the field but also for the referees and assistants who will play a crucial role in delivering a fair and competitive spectacle.
