What started as a part-time gig in her teenage years turned into a lifelong passion for Tori Penso. As one of the most reputable referees, she officiated several high-profile matches, but by leading Czechia and South Africa onto the pitch on Thursday, she added another feather to her cap in front of a home crowd on American soil.

Tori Penso became the first American woman and just the second woman to take charge of a men’s World Cup match. She refereed the recently concluded Group A match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta. She was assisted by Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt on the sidelines.

France’s Stéphanie Frappart held the record as the first female referee at the men’s World Cup when she oversaw the Germany-Costa Rica group-stage match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Four years later, the 48-team expanded World Cup has not one but two female central referees. Katia Itzel Garcia, a 33-year-old Mexican, is the second female referee at the World Cup, alongside Penso.

“It is something I thought about a long time ago and didn’t think was possible at all, and to be here at this stage of the game is an incredible privilege,” Penso told FIFA in 2023 on the eve of the Women’s World Cup final she officiated.

Mary Victoria “Tori” Penso was born in Florida and was a soccer player herself. She began officiating youth games to earn some extra money at 14. However, a chance to join the Olympic Development Program in Alabama at 18 changed her perception of refereeing.

Having attended Florida State University to study advertising, she even found a job with an agency. But she chose to leave it to referee full-time. Penso started her journey from the lower echelons before making her way to the top.

She became an integral part of women’s competitions, but her true breakthrough arrived when she officiated a Major League Soccer game in 2020. She has been a regular feature at men’s matches ever since and is evaluated on her merit.

A record-making American referee

In 2021, Penso received the highest recognition for her work when she was enlisted on the FIFA international referee panel. From leading all-women officiating teams to working at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, she thrived in multiple games.

She worked on her first Women’s World Cup in 2023 and oversaw group-stage games, a round of 16 clash, and even the semifinals. But as a testament to her immense quality, she was assigned the World Cup final between England and Spain. She became the first United States referee to work on a FIFA World Cup final. Spain emerged as world champions after beating England 1-0 on that day.

Penso then featured at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 and the Club World Cup in 2025 before scripting more history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She will be expected to return for more games, oversee a knockout game, and write new chapters in the history books.

Tori Penso married her college sweetheart, Chris Penso, a fellow soccer referee whom she met at Florida State University. Chris is a FIFA-listed referee as well and has been working in the MLS since 2011.

They have become a power couple in world soccer officiating. They have three daughters and are an example of finding a perfect work-life balance amid demanding travel and busy schedules.