Chosen to command the game between Spain and Sweden, for the semifinal of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, referee Edina Alves has become the first Brazilian to reach eight games in World Cups. The Paraná native will break Carlos Eugênio Simon’s record, which took part in seven matches, in three World Cups (2002, 2006 and 2010).
She played her role in three games at the current edition of the World Cup: the clashes between Australia and Ireland, as well as South Korea and Morocco, during the group stage. In addition, she was also present in the match between Japan and Norway in the round of 16.
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This Tuesday (15), Edina, along with her assistants Neuza Back and Leila Cruz, was in charge of refereeing the match that determined the first finalist of the Cup. Spain won the game 2-1 at Eden Park, in Auckland (NZL). Honduran Melissa Borjas was also part of the refereeing team.
This is not the first time that the refereeing trio formed by Edina Alves (SP-FIFA), Neuza Back (SP-FIFA) and Leila Cruz (GO-FIFA) worked together. They have already worked on two other matches during the tournament, including opening the competition with Australia’s 1-0 victory over Ireland. At the time, VAR was supervised by Daiane Muniz (SP-FIFA), who will be present at semifinal between England and Australia.
The Women’s World Cup has a total of 33 female referees and 55 female assistants, while the men perform functions in the video referee system (VAR).
Edina Alves Batista used to pick up soil on her hands and knees to pay for an officiating course.
Then, she travelled 550 kilometres for her referee classes.
Now, she is about to referee her second #FIFAWWC semi-final 👏 pic.twitter.com/9uIV3QexBo
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) August 15, 2023
Who is Edina Alves?
Edina Alves, born in Goioerê, Paraná, has been part of FIFA’s refereeing team since 2016. In 2019, she participated in the Women’s World Cup in France, where she refereed four matches, including the semifinal between England and the United States. In that edition, she was also part of the first female refereeing trio of Brazil in the history of the World Cups, alongside Neuza Back and Tatiane Sacilotti.
In addition, she has been part of the CBF refereeing team since 2007 and since then has become the referee with the most games in the history of the Brasileirão. Edina also belongs to the referees of the São Paulo Football Federation and Conmebol.
