Ethiopian Liyda Abebe Has High Expectations in Refereeing for the Women's World Cup

After excelling at leading the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations, Liyda Abebe said she was still keen to progress.

Before the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, the Ethiopian is currently in Qatar, where 27 referees and 48 badistant referees are organizing a preparation course for France 2019.

Abebe may have realized her childhood dreams as she has officiated at all levels of the Women's World Cup and is about to compete for her second participation in this summer's centerpiece.

And the 39-year-old, who is one of seven match officials selected in Africa, highlights the impact of the ongoing course in Doha, which ends on February 15.

"We are always looking to grow and progress," said Abebe Fifa.com .

"The communication with the badistants is a very important aspect, because at the end of the day we have to work in groups of three in the field."

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Kari Seitz, FIFA's senior refereeing official, said: "This is a very intensive seminar, I would go so far as to call it a super-seminar.

"This gives women referees the opportunity to refine their work and is therefore the ideal preparation for the World Cup in France."

Women referees attend VAR and other training sessions in the field, with direct feedback for badistant referees, theory courses, medical checks and fitness checks.