Tory penso leading in historical all-

The FIFA World Cup witnessed another historic moment on Thursday when a female referee team took charge in the Group A match between Czech Republic and South Africa at the Atlanta Stadium.

Referee Tori Penso, along with assistant referees Katherine Nesbitt and Brooke Mayo, became only the second female on-field officiating crew to officiate a men’s World Cup match. The appointment also marked the first time an all-American refereeing trio officiated at a men’s World Cup.

Their selection continues FIFA’s efforts to increase representation at the highest levels of the game and follows the leading example set at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when France’s Stéphanie Frappart, Brazil’s Neuja Back and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina became the first team of female referees to officiate a men’s World Cup match.

Tory Penso: From marketing professional to World Cup referee

Leading the historic team was Torey Penso, whose journey into officiating began as a teenager in Florida.

Penso, who initially took up refereeing at the age of 14 to earn extra income, later established a successful career in digital marketing and also worked as a university lecturer. Despite balancing numerous professional commitments, she continued to rise through the football officiating ranks.

Her breakthrough came in 2020 when she became the first woman to referee a Major League Soccer match in nearly two decades. After receiving her FIFA badge in 2021, Penso was selected for some of football’s biggest events, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals and the Paris Olympic Games.

Katherine Nesbitt: the scientist who chose football

Assistant referee Katherine Nesbitt brings one of the most unique stories in international football.

Before becoming a full-time officer, Nesbitt pursued an academic career in the sciences. He received a doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and worked in research and teaching, focusing on neurological and brain-related studies.

His passion for umpiring eventually led him away from academia and into professional football.

Since gaining FIFA accreditation in 2016, Nesbitt has officiated at several Women’s World Cup and Olympic tournaments. She also made history in Qatar four years ago when she became the first woman to serve as an assistant referee in a Men’s World Cup knockout stage match during England’s round of 16 tie against Senegal.

Brooke Mayo: breaking barriers beyond football

Completing the trio was Brooke Mayo, whose football journey has included playing, coaching and umpiring.

The Texas native played collegiate football before working as a physical education teacher and high-school coach. She later switched fully to refereeing and soon established herself among the top officials in the United States.

Mayo joined FIFA’s international refereeing panel in 2018 and has since officiated at major tournaments including the Women’s World Cup, the Olympic Games and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Her achievements were recognized in 2025 when she received US Soccer’s Female Referee of the Year award.

Mayo’s appointment also has broader significance in Atlanta. She became the first openly gay match official to officiate in a men’s FIFA World Cup match, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ visibility in international football.

a historic step

The three are already familiar with creating history together. In 2023, she became the first American officiating team to work a FIFA World Cup finals when she oversaw the Women’s World Cup title match between Spain and England.

They added another milestone in 2025 by becoming the first all-female crew to officiate in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final.

Now, her appointment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 adds another chapter to that journey, highlighting the growing role of women in elite football and showing how the game is evolving on its biggest stage.