2026 World Cup: Who Is Tori Penso, the Record-Breaking World Cup Referee?

American referee Tori Penso, 39, officiated the World Cup match between the Czech Republic and South Africa, which was part of the second matchday of Group A. She is the second female referee to officiate a match in the men’s World Cup, following France’s Stéphanie Frappart in Qatar in 2022.

Tori Penso, selected by FIFA as one of the tournament’s 52 referees, was assisted by her compatriots Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, while Tatiana Guzman of Nicaragua served as the VAR official. The all-female team took center stage in the second half when they awarded South Africa a penalty for a handball by a Czech defender, which was later confirmed by VAR.

Tori Penso is one of two female referees selected for this edition of the World Cup; the other is Katia Itzel García of Mexico. Penso refereed the 2023 Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England and is considered one of the best referees in the world.

The U.S. referee also officiated the Group E match between Ecuador and Germany, and was criticized by the South Americans for the first goal awarded to the Germans (scored by Sané), which was marred by a possible dangerous play.