Rawdha Al Mansouri oversees Federation Cup final as Palm 365 beat Hatta on penalties
Rawdha Al Mansouri refereed the UAE Federation Cup final on April 24, 2026, guiding a full female officiating team as Palm 365 beat Hatta 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Rawdha Al Mansouri took charge of the Federation Cup final at Al Maktoum Stadium on April 24, 2026, presiding over a tightly contested match between Hatta and Palm 365. The match ended 1-1 after regular time and was decided by a penalty shootout that Palm 365 won 4-1. Al Mansouri’s composure and decisive management under pressure drew wide attention from fans and officials alike.
Match context and final outcome
Al Mansouri’s appointment came as the culmination of the 2025–2026 Federation Cup, a competition that gathered teams from across the domestic leagues. The final pitted Hatta, from the First Division, against second-division side Palm 365 in a rare cross-tier decider. Palm 365 equalised in the second half from a penalty that proved decisive in taking the contest to spot kicks.
Key decisions that shaped the game
The most consequential call of the match was the penalty awarded to Palm 365 in the second half, which levelled the score and ultimately forced extra time and penalties. The penalty decision followed a signal from assistant referee Amal Jamal, demonstrating clear communication among the officiating team. In the shootout Palm 365 converted four penalties while Hatta managed one, handing Palm 365 the trophy.
Women’s officiating team and match officials
The refereeing team for the final was entirely female, with Amal Jamal and Adhari Al Hammadi serving as assistant referees and Kholoud Al Zaabi acting as the fourth official. The UAE Football Association deliberately assigned a full female crew to the fixture, reflecting a broader institutional push to raise the profile of women in match officiating. Observers praised the team’s coordination and ability to manage a high-stakes encounter without incident.
Career milestones for Rawdha Al Mansouri
Al Mansouri has risen through the domestic refereeing ranks in recent seasons, becoming the first Emirati woman to oversee a men’s First Division match during the 2023–2024 season. She later became the first woman to referee in the ADNOC Pro League when she took charge of the Baniyas versus Ajman match in June 2024. Those milestones helped position her for prominent appointments this season, including the Federation Cup final.
Expert assessment and feedback from refereeing circles
Former international referee and refereeing expert Abdullah Al Ajel praised the progression of Al Mansouri’s assignments as deliberate and constructive. He said the step-by-step escalation in match difficulty helps build experience and confidence, noting that the penalty decision illustrated effective teamwork within the officiating crew. Al Ajel also described the decision-making in the final as influential on the outcome and reflective of strong on-field communication.
Implications for female referees in UAE football
Al Mansouri’s role in the Federation Cup final reinforces a trend of increasing opportunities for female match officials in the UAE’s men’s competitions. Her performance adds to a growing body of examples that unions and clubs can point to when advocating for more integrated officiating appointments. Stakeholders say such high-visibility assignments can encourage younger women to consider refereeing as a viable pathway in Emirati football.
Rawdha Al Mansouri’s handling of the final was widely viewed as professionally assured, and the match has become a reference point for discussions on gender inclusion in officiating within the UAE. Observers now expect further high-profile appointments for Al Mansouri as the referees’ committee continues to diversify and expand refereeing experience across competitions.
