Eleni Glouftsis will become the first female field umpire in football history after being named to officiate in Sunday's clash between Essendon and West Coast.

The AFL confirmed on Monday that Glouftsis would take the field for the Etihad Stadium meeting in what will be an historic moment for the game in a year that has celebrated the role of women in football with the introduction of the AFLW. 

Glouftsis became the first female field umpire to adjudicate an official AFL match in last year's pre-season competition at Ikon Park between Essendon and Carlton.

However, she did not break through for a home and away game to make her debut at the top level.

The South Australian umpired in the VFL last season as one of 12 AFL umpire rookies.

She was also named an AFL emergency umpire on 10 occasions and has trained with the senior AFL umpiring group over the past two years, and with 33 VFL games to her name the League believes she is ready for the next level.   

Glouftsis was placed in the AFL Female Pathway scholarship program in 2015 after being identified as the most promising female field umpire at state level in the country.