The FIFA World Cup 2026 has marked a historic milestone after FIFA selected six female referees among the 170 officials appointed for the tournament, reinforcing the growing presence of women in elite men’s football officiating.
Although women still represent a small proportion of the total refereeing group, FIFA said the selection reflected continued progress since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Stéphanie Frappart became the first woman to officiate a men’s World Cup match.
Among the six officials, Tori Penso stands out as one of the most experienced referees on the international stage. The 39-year-old from Florida became the second woman in history to referee a men’s World Cup match and previously officiated the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, alongside more than 100 international matches across major competitions.
Katia García also made history as the first Latin American woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, building a career marked by multiple national and international firsts across CONCACAF, Liga MX and Olympic tournaments.
Her compatriot Sandra Ramírez served as assistant referee, continuing a career that has included youth tournaments, Liga MX matches and major FIFA competitions.
Brooke Mayo joined the officiating team as an assistant referee with extensive experience in Major League Soccer, Olympic tournaments and previous FIFA World Cups.
Katherine Nesbitt, recognised as one of the world’s leading VAR specialists, took on officiating duties in the tournament, adding to her experience from previous World Cups and international competitions.
Tatiana Guzmán also made history as one of Central America’s most prominent referees, stepping into a VAR assistant role at the 2026 tournament after previous landmark appointments in women’s World Cup competitions.
FIFA said the appointments highlighted the continued integration of women into elite men’s football officiating, as the World Cup expands its global footprint and sets new benchmarks for representation.
,
