Meet Bouchra Karboubi, the first Arab woman to officiate an AFCON match
Lenah Ann
February 4, 2024 at 7:44 AM
Bouchra Karboubi is a Moroccan professional soccer referee who has officiated both men's and women's continental competitions. She rose to fame after going down in history as the first female referee from the Arab world to take charge of the men's AFCON match. She was in charge of the whistle at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan during a Group A match between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria.
Source: Getty Images
Karboubi holds the title of the Best Arab Football Referee due to her creativity, leadership, and performance in the sport. She is an inspiring example of women worldwide who have broken into traditionally male-dominated careers and made history in their respective roles. Read on to find more details about the Moroccan referee.
Bouchra Karboubi's profile summary
Full name | Bouchra Karboubi |
Date of birth | 15 May 1987 |
Age | 36 (as of February 2024) |
Place of birth | Taza, Fès-Meknès, Morocco |
Nationality | Moroccan |
Ethnicity | Berber |
Religion | Muslim |
Known for | Breaking barriers in female refereeing |
Hair colour | Brown |
Relationship status | Married |
Occupation | Professional soccer referee and police officer |
FIFA role | Referee |
Years active | 2015 - present |
Social media presence |
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BoxingBouchra Karboubi's family
Moroccan international association football referee Bouchra Karboubi (age 36 as of January 2024) was born on 15 May 1987 in Taza, Fès-Meknès, Morocco, to her parents, who are from a Riffian family background.
She was raised as the youngest of five siblings, and despite gaining international recognition, details regarding her parents' and siblings' names are unknown.
Bouchra Karboubi's nationality
The renowned referee is a Moroccan national of Berber ethnic background.
Bouchra Karboubi's career
Source: Getty Images
The FIFA professional started playing soccer in the youth category for a small team in her hometown, Taza when she was eleven. When an arbitration school for men and women was opened in 2001, she joined them due to her passion for football.
When she was 19, she began officiating in the Moroccan women's football divisions, first and second, and in 2016, she advanced to another level as an international referee.
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FootballShe took part in officiating a continental competition in 2018 when she officiated a match between Zambia and Equatorial Guinea in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final event, which was held in Ghana.
She officiated her first match in the top tier of Morocco's men's professional tournament in 2020, making history as the first woman to do so. Additionally, in 2021, she officiated the Moroccan Throne Cup final and was a video assistant referee for the 2021 AFCON final.
The Moroccan national was chosen as one of the referees for the 2023 AFCON. In January 2024, she officiated the men's AFCON match between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria, making history as the first female referee from North Africa and the Arab world to do so.
Bouchra Karboubi's stats
Since her listing by FIFA in 2015, the Moroccan national has posted some of the best stats in the soccer world as a female referee. So far, according to Transfermarkt, she has officiated 23 matches and handed out 98 yellow cards and 3 red cards.
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FootballBouchra Karboubi's husband
The famous referee is a married woman. However, most details regarding her husband are unknown, except that he has a military background and that she met him when he was an assistant referee.
In an interview, she stated that her husband was supportive of her career and was beside her when she decided to join the police force.
Bouchra Karboubi's Instagram
The Moroccan professional referee is not a dynamic social media personality. As of January 2024, she is on Instagram under the handle @bouchra_karboubi and has garnered over 3.9k followers. Fans can find Bouchra Karboubi's photos on Instagram under #bouchrakarboubi.
Frequently asked questions
Despite living in a town where it was inappropriate for a girl to wear shorts and mingle freely with men, she was determined to make history in the women's football world. Here are some frequently asked questions about the renowned FIFA official.
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Football1. Which AFCON match did Bouchra Karboubi officiate?
The renowned FIFA official was named the sole female central referee for the Group A match between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria.
2. When did Bouchra Karboubi's journey begin?
Source: Getty Images
The famous legend's path began in 2001 when she overcame her family's opposition to pursue a profession as a referee. Due to her resilience and determination, she has earned international recognition.
3. Who helped Karboubi during the Group A AFCON match?
The Moroccan international had two female officials helping her. She was assisted by Diana Chikotesha from Zambia and Cameroon's Carine Atezambong Fomo.
Final word
As a professional referee who has successfully officiated international matches in high-level events, Bouchra Karboubi is recognized for her leadership and performance. She takes great satisfaction in being an inspiration and a role model for women in Morocco and around the globe.
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