Tori Penso, a 39-year-old American official, has made history at the 2026 World Cup. She became only the second woman to ever referee a match in the tournament's history. Penso took charge of the Group A encounter between the Czech Republic and South Africa. In an unprecedented move for the World Cup, the entire officiating crew for this match consisted of women. This milestone marks a significant shift in the representation of female officials on the global stage. The event highlights the growing integration of women in top-tier football officiating.