first all-American – A trio of American women—head referee Tori Penso and assistant referees Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt—will lead an all-woman officiating crew for a men’s World Cup match between South Africa and Czechia in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18. It’s only the second t
For the match between South Africa and Czechia in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, the whistle won’t belong to a familiar men’s World Cup lineup.
Instead, an all-woman officiating crew made up entirely of Americans will take charge—an unusual sight at the top level of the men’s tournament. Tori Penso will serve as the head official, with Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt as the assistant referees.
The appointment carries historic weight. It is only the second time there has been an all-woman officiating crew at a men’s World Cup. It is also the first time the officials are all American.
Penso’s rise is central to this moment. She was the first American woman to be a lead referee at the men’s World Cup. Her background spans years of high-level officiating: she has been a soccer referee since 2013, working games in Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League.
The trio’s credibility isn’t new to World Cup stage pressure. They previously served as the officiating crew for the final of the 2023 women’s World Cup, with Penso leading the referee team for the match between England and Spain.
Penso has also worked on other FIFA tournament assignments. Last year, she was one of 35 referees to work FIFA’s men’s Club World Cup.
The significance of this appointment extends beyond the U.S. alone. The first all-woman officiating team to work a men’s World Cup match came four years ago in Qatar. France’s Stephanie Frappart—who also became the first woman to officiate a men’s World Cup match—led that crew for the Germany–Costa Rica group-stage game. Frappart was assisted by Neuza Back of Brazil and Karen Diaz of Mexico.
Penso has been clear about what she believes this progress still means in practice. In comments published last year by the Treasure Coast Newspapers—part of a network—she said: “Female officials are capable. whether that be physically or mentally or technically. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so far. ” and added. “There’s still so much for us to do.”.
The path to a World Cup moment like June 18 isn’t only about the match itself. The sequence of appointments—Penso’s leadership role at the men’s World Cup. the all-American crew lineup. and the track record that includes top-level domestic leagues and FIFA assignments—shows how the sport’s officiating pipeline is widening. even as the number of comparable men’s World Cup crews remains rare.
2026 World Cup referees Tori Penso Brooke Mayo Kathryn Nesbitt South Africa Czechia Atlanta June 18 U.S. officials history sports officiating FIFA referees