American referee Tori Penso (born Mary Victoria Hancock) has been appointed to take charge of the game, making yet another piece of history in a career that has already broken several barriers.

Tori Penso: the woman taking to the World Cup stage

Born in Florida, Penso has become one of the most recognizable officials in world soccer. She first attracted widespread attention in 2020 when she became the first woman in two decades to referee an MLS game.

Since then, her rise has been remarkably quick.

Why is Tori Penso making World Cup history?

Penso was already a trailblazer after becoming the first American referee ever appointed to a FIFA World Cup final when she took charge of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England.

Now she has reached another landmark. The 39-year-old (she’ll turn 40 on July 8) is the first American woman selected to referee a men’s World Cup match and is one of only two female on-pitch referees chosen for the tournament.

What experience does Tori Penso have at the highest level?

Quite a lot, actually.

As I mentioned, Penso has officiated in MLS, but she has also had the whistle in the NWSL, the Olympics, FIFA Club World Cups, and numerous international competitions. She has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2021 and is widely regarded as one of CONCACAF’s top officials.

Away from the field, she is married to fellow referee Chris Penso and is also a university instructor. They have three daughters... who no doubt learned the offside rule at a very young age.

Who else is on the Czechia vs South Africa officiating team?

Penso will obviously not be working alone. Her fellow Americans Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt along with New Zealand’s Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh have been appointed on the sidelines. Here’s the full list:

• Brooke Mayo (USA) – Assistant Referee
• Kathryn Nesbitt (USA) – Assistant Referee
• Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand) – Fourth Official
• Isaac Trevis (New Zealand) – Reserve Assistant Referee
• Tatiana Guzman (Nicaragua) – Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
• Joe Dickerson (USA) – Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR)
• Mohammed Obaid Khadim (United Arab Emirates) – Support Video Assistant Referee (SVAR)

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