All-American female crew makes FIFA World Cup history

In a landmark moment for gender inclusion in international football, an all-American, all-female officiating crew made history at the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Referee Tori Penso, assisted by Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, became the first such trio to oversee a men’s tournament match, taking charge of the Group A encounter between Czechia and South Africa at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, but the event was widely celebrated as a significant step forward. Penso, a 39-year-old from Florida, is only the second woman ever to referee a men’s World Cup match, following France’s Stéphanie Frappart, who first broke that barrier at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Penso is also the first American woman to achieve the feat.

The selection of Penso, Mayo, and Nesbitt was a deliberate choice by FIFA, reflecting growing confidence in female officials on football’s biggest stage. The trio possesses a proven track record at the highest level, having previously worked together to officiate the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They also collaborated on the 2025 U.S. Open Cup final. Their 2026 World Cup assignment was seen by many as...