All-Woman Referee Trio Makes History at FIFA World Cup 2026 Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo, and Kathryn Nesbitt are set to make their debut as the first all-woman officiating trio at the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking charge of the Group A match between Czechia and South Africa on June 18 at Atlanta Stadium. This milestone marks a significant moment in the evolution of women’s roles in soccer, as the trio becomes the only all-female officiating team to officiate a World Cup match. Their participation underscores the growing recognition of female referees in high-stakes international competitions. The trio’s historic debut follows their earlier groundbreaking work in the U.S. soccer scene. Last year, they served as the first all-female on-field crew to officiate the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, where they refereed the match between Austin FC and Nashville SC on October 1, 2025. This achievement highlighted their expertise and paved the way for their inclusion in the World Cup. Their presence at the World Cup also aligns with the broader trend of U.S. referees making an impact on the global stage. Earlier in the tournament, an American-led officiating crew had already officiated the group stage match between the Netherlands and Japan on June 14 in Dallas, Texas. With three more U.S. referees set to officiate on June 18, the eight American officials appointed for the tournament continue to demonstrate the country’s growing influence and reputation in soccer officiating. Brooke Mayo, one of the referees, shared insights into her journey to the World Cup. She described the emotional weight of being selected for the tournament, noting that her focus shifted to achieving the goal after the U.S. team earned a spot in the World Cup in 2023.#fifa_world_cup_2026 #tori_penso #brooke_mayo #kathryn_nesbitt #atlanta_stadium
