Female referee trailblazer Yoshimi Yamashita will lead a group of women to officiate a men’s competition for the first time.

The Japanese was chosen among a group of four women to take part in the men’s Asian Cup.

Yoshimi Yamashita was also among the one of six women officials who were historically selected for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

“For the first time ever, women match officials are poised to make their debut at Asia’s most prestigious men’s national team competition,” the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a statement.

Asian Women Cup

Prior to this announcement, the Asian Football Confederation last month revealed that there were plans to start a Women’s version of the competition.

Next year the Confederation will kick start the process of developing the Asian Women’s Cup tournament.

The Asian region men’s competition will be held next year In Qatar from January 12 to February 10 2024.

Main Tournament

The 18th edition of the tournament will for the first time have 24 times participants.

Host Qatar the defending champions is among the favourites alongside Japan and South Korea who reached the 2022 World Cup last 16 stage.

Also, the AFC has revealed that the completion will also for the first time feature the Video Referee assistant (VAR).

A total of 35 referees and 39 assistant referees including two standby nominees for each position from 18 Member Associations have been selected.

The selection was based on game management skills, competence, technical knowledge, physical fitness and performances delivered at the highest levels of both Continental and global football in recent years.

The iconic Lusail Stadium, which staged the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final, will rise to the fore again by hosting the first match between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon in Group A on Friday, 12 January 2024.