Historic Appointment for Women in Football
In a significant development for international football officiating, a female referee from the United States has been appointed to oversee a crucial match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Torri Penso, a 40-year-old American, will take charge of the upcoming fixture between the Czech Republic and South Africa.
Penso Makes History in Men’s World Cup Qualifiers
The appointment marks a landmark moment, as Penso becomes the first American woman to officiate a senior men’s World Cup qualifying match. The game is scheduled to take place in Atlanta, USA, early on the morning of the 19th, according to Korean Standard Time.
Penso’s selection comes as FIFA released the list of referees for the second round of the 2026 North, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup qualifiers. The match between the Czech Republic and South Africa is part of Group A, where both teams have already faced defeats in their opening fixtures. The Czech Republic lost 1-2 to South Korea, while South Africa was defeated 0-2 by Mexico.
Familiar Face for South Korean Football Fans
For followers of South Korean football, Penso is a familiar presence. She previously officiated a match involving Ulsan HD FC during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage held in the United States in June of the previous year. In that encounter, Ulsan narrowly lost 0-1 to Borussia Dortmund due to a second-half goal. Penso issued two yellow cards to each team during that game.
Penso has been a regular presence in Major League Soccer (MLS), the premier professional soccer league in the United States, for the past six years, demonstrating her extensive experience in men’s football. While she has not officiated any matches involving LA FC, the club where South Korean captain Son Heung-min currently plays, her resume includes officiating the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The other significant appointment for the upcoming matchday in Group A sees Gustavo Tejera of Uruguay, a former insurance actuary, officiating the match between South Korea and Mexico. This game is set to be held on the evening of the 19th at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.
