Overview
- The trio of Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt officiated the men’s Group A match between South Africa and Czechia on June 18, becoming the second all‑female crew to work a World Cup game.
- U.S. Soccer recently announced the same three officials will take charge of the Germany–Ecuador match at MetLife Stadium, making the appointment the most recent development in their tournament roles.
- Tori Penso is the first American woman named as a lead referee at a men’s World Cup and all three have top‑level credentials, including assignments at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Tournamentwide there are six women on the refereeing roster this year, while women make up roughly 30% of referees globally and about 22% in the United States, a gap U.S. Soccer leaders say must close.
- Officials and administrators note FIFA’s multi‑year evaluation process favors sustained elite experience, and they expect high‑profile World Cup assignments to raise visibility and help recruit more women into elite officiating.