Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo, and Kathryn Nesbitt have been selected as the first all-American, all-women officiating crew in men’s World Cup history. The trio will work together during the tournament, marking a milestone for gender representation on soccer’s biggest stage.
Who the officials are
Penso, a veteran referee who has worked both men’s and women’s international matches, will serve as the center official. Mayo and Nesbitt will take the sideline as assistant referees. All three are Americans with extensive experience in MLS, NWSL, and FIFA competitions.
What the appointment means
The selection challenges long-standing assumptions about who can officiate top-level men’s soccer. FIFA has increased the number of women officials in recent World Cups, but this is the first time an entire on-field crew from one country — and all women — has been assigned to a men’s World Cup match.
The move could push other national federations to rethink their own officiating pipelines. For years, women referees were mostly limited to women’s tournaments. Now the path is widening.
Why this crew matters beyond the field
Representation in high-visibility roles like World Cup officiating sends a signal to young girls and boys that authority on the pitch isn’t tied to gender. It also puts pressure on leagues and federations globally to recruit, train, and promote women referees for top-tier men’s competitions.
The three women have each climbed through decades of youth, college, and professional matches. Their selection wasn’t a quota — it was earned. Still, the historic nature of the assignment is undeniable.
What happens next
The crew’s first match assignment hasn’t been announced yet. FIFA typically confirms match officials a few days before each game. When they step onto the field, they’ll become the first all-American, all-women crew to do so in a men’s World Cup.
The question now is whether other countries will follow. The next men’s World Cup in 2026, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will likely feature more mixed and all-women crews — but for now, these three are the ones breaking the grass.
