Tori Penso Makes History as Second Woman to Officiate Men's World Cup Match Stuart, Florida native Tori Penso will officiate a men’s World Cup match between Czechia and South Africa during the second week of the FIFA World Cup, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the second woman in history to referee a men’s World Cup game. Penso’s assignment highlights her growing influence in international soccer and underscores the gradual expansion of women’s roles in the sport’s highest echelons. Penso’s role in the Group A stage match follows her groundbreaking work in 2020, when she became the first woman to referee an MLS match in over two decades. Her career has since accelerated, leading to her inclusion in the FIFA international referee panel in 2021. Two years later, she made her mark on the global stage by officiating the 2023 Women’s World Cup Final, where Spain defeated England 1-0 in Australia. This achievement solidified her reputation as a top-tier official, paving the way for her current assignment at the men’s World Cup. The Czechia-South Africa match will be overseen by Penso, alongside her crew members Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, forming the only all-woman refereeing trio at this year’s tournament. This development is a significant step toward greater gender diversity in soccer officiating, a field that has historically been dominated by men. Penso’s presence on the field also represents a proud moment for her hometown of Stuart, Florida, where she is a native and a graduate of Martin County High School. Her journey to this point has been marked by steady progression. After her MLS debut in 2020, Penso joined the FIFA international referee panel, allowing her to officiate at major tournaments.#south_africa #czechia #fifa_world_cup #tori_penso #stephanie_frappart
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
