On Thursday, three American referees will walk onto the pitch at Atlanta Stadium and do something no all-woman crew has done at a men’s World Cup before. Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt will officiate the Group A match between Czechia and South Africa. It’s their first assignment of the 2026 tournament, and together they make up the only all-female on-field officiating team at this World Cup.
This isn’t their first time making history together. Last year, they worked the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final between Austin FC and Nashville SC — the first all-woman crew to do that, too. But the World Cup is a different stage entirely.
Eight American referees were appointed to the 2026 tournament, and three of them are in this trio. Another American-led crew already handled the Netherlands-Japan group stage match in Dallas on June 14. U.S. referees are quietly stacking up firsts this summer.
Brooke Mayo sat down with us to talk about the road to this moment. She started refereeing at 13 in Garland, Texas. Played college soccer at Tennessee Tech. Now she’s about to whistle a World Cup match in her home country.
On finding out she made the tournament: “When I realized, in 2023, we had an opportunity to realistically earn a spot at this FIFA World Cup, all of my focus became on making that dream a reality. I made myself available for as many international and MLS games as possible.” She worked with fitness coaches. Pushed her training. “When I found out we had earned a spot, I felt elated and excited to represent U.S. Soccer and Concacaf.”
The 48 hours before a match are a blur. “Honestly a wild 48 hours. The first thing I do is try to let all my friends and family know and help coordinate their travel.” Then the prep kicks in — tactical meetings with FIFA coaches, fitness adjustments, team meals. “My favorite part is taking a deep breath during the walk out, looking around and having a moment of gratitude. Then, it’s game time!”
Her family has been locked in for years. “My mom and dad have watched every single game I have officiated that has had a live stream option for over a decade. My wife who has seen the ups and the downs of the journey and supported me in both, couldn’t be more proud and will be attending any matches we receive.”
Most fans don’t see what goes into reffing at this level. Mayo wants to change that. “We love and live football. I would love for them to get a real peek behind the curtains of the life of a referee. Our physical training, our preparation we do for each game and the assessment and accountability that happens after a match.”
The sacrifices are real. “I’ve had to miss almost all of my friends and families special moments. When I was coming up, I had to personally invest in myself by funding my travel to tournaments and taking time off my teaching job.” She even scheduled her wedding in December — the best chance to avoid conflicts with the soccer calendar. “When you are chasing a dream, you are not the only one who sacrifices — it’s all of your loved ones too.”
Mayo knows this crew represents more than just three officials. “Most of the time, I don’t think anything about it; we are just a team of officials. But then you have an instructor come up and ask for a picture because his daughter is inspired by us. Or an older female FIFA volunteer pulling you aside and saying how proud she is to see women at this level and how it never seemed possible when she was younger.”
She’s clear about what this moment means for the next generation. “I hope they realize that they are strong and capable. When you witness or experience any negativity online or in person — sexism, homophobia, racism, etc. — know that kind of negativity is coming from, as I like to say, ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda people.’” She hopes the message goes beyond just girls. “I hope anyone who feels like they have never seen themselves represented at the highest level, we see you, we support you and we are ready to cheer you on as long as you’re willing to put in the work! You belong.”
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