From Karate, Basketball and Football to the FIFA Elite: Ivana Projkovska on the Road to the World Top!

Ivana Projkovska is one of the most visible names among Macedonian referees and is considered the best female referee in domestic football, and with the FIFA badge she is also present at the highest level in international matches. Her hard path and continuous advancement brought her to the elite group of referees, and every new assignment only confirms her trajectory of progress.

In the domestic Macedonian First Football League (PMFL) she is a regular selection, while also officiating matches in the Women's Champions League, and behind her are engagements at major tournaments: World Cups and European Championships for youth categories, as well as the role as the only European referee at Copa América. These experiences broaden her repertoire and place her among the best in Europe.

Beginnings, Education and Responsibility

Projkovska comes from a multisport background — she trained in basketball, karate and football — but refereeing presented itself as the true challenge. Alongside her sporting background, she completed the Police Academy and holds a master's degree in forensic physics, which, she says, gives her an additional analytical advantage on the field.

During the 2026 World Cup, Ivana was present in both the USA and Canada: "I was in the USA and Canada both privately and officially and as a fan, a mix of a bit of everything. Every World Cup has its own character and is different from the others. This was my third World Cup in a row and, as always, the impressions are excellent. I returned home richer by another experience and one more country added to my list."

Although a few days of rest are important for every referee, Projkovska says the experience is engraved in her: "Well, honestly this time no, because after 13 years I decided to give myself 10 days of rest. We referees also sometimes want to rest a little and watch the match as an ordinary spectator and fan. However, refereeing is so ingrained in my blood that I always pay attention to positioning, communication, the application of the rules and the way referee teams manage the match. Every match is an opportunity to learn something new, regardless of how long you have been in this profession."

On the duties and pressures that come with refereeing at a high level she says: "Pressure always exists, especially when you know that one decision can change the course of the match. But that is precisely why there are preparations. We analyze, train and work every day so that in those moments we remain calm and confident. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and in what you have seen."

Projkovska equally insists on physical and mental preparation: daily runs, intervals, strength and stability exercises, as well as constant match analysis and knowledge of the rules. In her free time she values family and travel, and their support, she says, is key to her achieved success.

Photo: press material from the event