This summer, as the men's World Cup arrives in North America, a major milestone will be reached on the pitch. Tori Penso is set to become the first American woman to referee a match in the tournament's storied history.
The 39-year-old from Florida was among the 52 lead referees announced by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, a landmark selection that continues the global push for greater representation in officiating. While France's Stéphanie Frappart broke the barrier as the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match in 2022, and American Kathryn Nesbitt served as a Video Assistant Referee in Qatar, Penso will be the first U.S. woman to take the field as the lead official.
Penso's path to this moment has been built on a foundation of elite experience. Since becoming a professional referee in 2013, she has officiated in both Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League, establishing herself as a top-tier official. Her resume is packed with significant firsts: she was the fourth woman to referee an MLS match, led an all-women crew for a U.S. Open Cup final, and, most notably, was the referee for the 2023 Women's World Cup final—the first American to earn that honor.
"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," Penso said in a recent interview. "There's still so much for us to do."
For Penso, a former Florida State club soccer player, this World Cup assignment is the culmination of a long-held dream. "I started out with the men's World Cup as a goal actually before I was even a FIFA referee," she revealed. "And it was mostly because it was in the United States. I said, 'What if? How cool would that be?'"
Her journey from the digital marketing world to the center circle of the world's biggest sporting event is a powerful testament to dedication and skill. As she prepares to make history, Penso isn't just calling a game; she's inspiring a new generation and proving that excellence in sports knows no gender.