​Central referee Charly Deretti has secured her spot at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. On Friday the 10th, she completed the required physical tests under FIFA instructors at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) facilities in Madrid and received clearance after the activities. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup this year will take place in Poland, from September 5 to 27. “These tests demand several qualities; it’s not just the physical side. I’d say the physical part is only a complement, and I work on it many days in advance. It involves much more the mental side, how strong you can be at that moment. That’s what drives you toward achieving your dream or keeps you right there. It’s completely different and very special. It’s meaningful,” Charly said.
Assistant referees Anne Gomes de Sá and Fernanda Nandrea are also set to represent Brazil at the tournament, though their physical tests will occur next week at Granja Comary. The Brazilians are part of FIFA’s group of 68 match officials for the event, comprising 18 referees, 36 assistant referees, and 14 video match officials (VMOs), representing all of world football’s confederations.
“It’s daily preparation, as I always say. But with the experience I gained at the U-17, I’m confident it will help me become a different referee at the U-20. It will bring me many new things and a much richer experience, so that I can, if possible, reach the senior level. Everyone faces a different challenge. At the U-17 you’re still working with younger players; they’re girls who are still maturing. But at the U-20, the level changes; it will demand much more from me than the U-17,” explained the official, who previously refereed at the U-17 World Cup, will attend the U-20 World Cup, and is preparing for Brazil’s 2027 World Cup bid.
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is a key development platform in international women’s football, gathering the top young talents from around the world. Brazil is placed in Group B with Tanzania, Canada, and England. Players are expected to report for the World Cup on August 24. Jean-Baptiste Bultynck, FIFA’s physical and technical refereeing analyst, oversees Charly Deretti’s physical testing. Credits: Fabio Souza/CBF. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. The original version in Portuguese can be read here for reference.