Salima Mukansanga
At a glance
| Born | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Role | FIFA international referee since 2012 |
| Tournaments | 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup; Olympic Games; 2022 Africa Cup of Nations; 2022 FIFA World Cup |
| Studied | Nursing and midwifery, University of Gitwe |
Source: Wikipedia: Salima Mukansanga1
Early life
Mukansanga first played basketball but turned to football refereeing after being told she was too young for the national under-17 basketball squad. She learned the laws of the game on her own before the Rwanda Football Federation admitted her to a refereeing course, and she graduated in nursing and midwifery from the University of Gitwe.1
International career
She started out refereeing men’s amateur matches and the women’s second division in Rwanda and joined FIFA’s international list in 2012. She officiated at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, at the Olympic Games and at the Africa Women Cup of Nations.1
2022
At the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations she became the first woman to referee a match at the tournament, leading an all-female team of officials. Later that year she was one of three women referees selected for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where she was fourth official when France beat Australia 4–1 on 22 November 2022. The BBC named her one of its 100 Women in December 2022.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Salima Mukansanga?
A Rwandan football referee, on FIFA’s international list since 2012.
What record did she set in 2022?
She became the first woman to referee at the Africa Cup of Nations, leading an all-female team of officials.
Did she officiate at the World Cup?
Yes. She was one of three women referees selected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Sources
Facts checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information.
