US referee Tori Penso makes history as second woman to officiate men's World Cup match

American referee Tori Penso made history on Thursday by becoming the second woman to officiate a match in the men's FIFA World Cup. The 39-year-old took charge of the game between the Czech Republic and South Africa at the Atlanta Stadium.

Penso's journey into refereeing began at the age of 14, initially as a way to earn extra money. However, she became more serious about the profession after attending a referee training camp at 18. She eventually left her job in advertising to pursue refereeing full-time.

Her career has seen several milestones. In 2020, she became the first woman to referee a Major League Soccer (MLS) game in over two decades. The following year, she was added to FIFA's international referees list. She has also led all-female refereeing teams in men's competitions organized by CONCACAF and officiated at the U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022, including a semifinal match.

Last year, Penso refereed the final of the 2023 Women's World Cup, where Spain defeated England. Her appointment to the men's World Cup stage, alongside fellow American female assistant referees Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, marks another significant achievement in her career and for women in sports officiating. She follows in the footsteps of France's Stéphanie Frappart, who was the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match in 2022.

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The 39-year-old American referee Tori Penso officiated the match between the Czech Republic and South Africa.