Sarah Nashaat is Upper Egypt’s First Female Football Referee

Sarah Nashaat has spent the past five years working her way through Egyptian football’s refereeing system, from youth competitions to men’s fourth-division matches and women’s football. In September, she reached another milestone: passing the fitness test for second- and third-division referees in North Upper Egypt.

The test, held at Minya University Stadium on September 1st as part of preparations for the 2026–27 season, involved 71 referees. Local media reported that Nashaat was the first woman representing the Minya football association branch to pass the test for these categories, marking a significant step in her career.

For Nashaat, the achievement builds on a journey that began in 2021, long before the fitness test brought her wider attention.

A graduate of the Faculty of Physical Education in 2021, Nashaat initially worked as a karate coach. Her route into refereeing began when the Egyptian Football Association announced that it was looking for women to join the profession. She passed the theoretical examination on the Laws of the Game before beginning the practical and physical stages of her development.

Her interest in football, however, goes back further.

“I fell in love with refereeing from the very beginning. When I was younger, I played football for the only women’s team in Upper Egypt, Al-Bargaya Youth Centre, which meant travelling for more than an hour and a half just to get to training,” Nashaat recalls.

Since entering refereeing, she has officiated youth and regional competitions, men’s fourth-division matches, and matches in the second division and Premier League B of women’s football. Passing the latest fitness test represents a further step in that progression, rather than the beginning of her career.

Working in a traditionally male-dominated environment has brought its own challenges. Nashaat initially worried about the pressure of having her decisions questioned, particularly by players and coaches who might struggle to accept a female referee.

Over time, she learned to leave those concerns off the pitch.

“Negative comments are part of our reality. One of my fellow referees once told me that women belong in the kitchen. Some people still underestimate what we can do, whether it’s playing football or refereeing. I learned not to listen to them or let their opinions affect me.”

Experience has also helped her become more comfortable managing players and coaching staff. Rather than allowing the occasion to intimidate her, she focuses on the responsibilities that come with being the official in charge.

“As referees, we have authority over the players and coaching staff, and we make the decisions we believe are right according to the Laws of the Game,” she tells SceneSports.

Preparation plays a major role in that confidence. Knowing the Laws of the Game thoroughly and maintaining the fitness required to keep up with play are essential, particularly when decisions have to be made under pressure.

Nashaat credits Mustafa Abdel Azim, the referees’ committee fitness coach, with helping her develop a training and nutrition programme suited to the demands of the job. Her family has also been an important source of support, particularly her father, who would accompany her to the train station to make sure she travelled safely.

That support has strengthened her belief that women’s football in Upper Egypt can continue to grow, even if progress takes time.

“I see a lot of support from the people around me to continue in this profession. I believe the future of football for girls in Upper Egypt will be better, but it will take time. With greater social acceptance, awareness and sports education, we can raise generations who love sport and aren’t afraid to pursue it because of hurtful comments.”

Passing the fitness test gives Nashaat another opportunity to progress through the refereeing system. Her longer-term ambition is to continue developing her skills and work towards higher levels of the game.

Her story is about more than a single test or a first-of-its-kind achievement. It is also about the years of work that came before it: learning the rules, building the physical endurance the job demands, managing the pressures of the pitch and continuing despite attitudes that can make the profession more difficult for women.

For the girls in Upper Egypt who may one day want to play or officiate, Nashaat’s progress offers a tangible example of what pursuing that ambition can look like.