Going head-to-head on Thursday, a second defeat would leave either Czechia or South Africa’s knockout-stage hopes hanging by a thread.
Czechia fell 2-1 to South Korea and South Africa suffered a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico, so both nations sit at the bottom of the group after opening-match defeats.
Tori Penso will become the first American woman to referee a men’s FIFA World Cup match, and the second in history after French referee Stéphanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a full men’s World Cup game during the Germany vs. Costa Rica match on December 1, 2022.
Main Referee Czechia vs. South Africa: Tori Penso
Jason Mowry/MLS via Getty Images
Tori Penso has become one of the most influential figures in modern football officiating.
- Nationality: United States
- Age: 39
- Professional experience: MLS, NWSL, FIFA Women's World Cup
- Historic milestone: First American woman to referee a men’s FIFA World Cup match
She started refereeing at age 14 and later balanced officiating with a corporate marketing career after graduating from Florida State University. She became a full-time referee in 2019 and has since risen rapidly through FIFA’s ranks.
Career Achievements
Penso’s rise has been filled with groundbreaking achievements.
- MLS Breakthrough: In 2020, she became the first woman in 20 years to referee a Major League Soccer regular-season match when she officiated D.C. United vs Nashville SC.
- FIFA Women’s World Cup Final: Her reputation soared in 2023 when FIFA selected her to referee the Women’s World Cup Final between Spain and England, making her the first American official to do so in a senior World Cup final.
- Olympic and Club World Cup Experience: officiated the 2024 Paris Olympics and became the only female referee selected for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Refereeing Style and Disciplinary Record
Penso is known for a modern, athletic refereeing approach built around communication and game flow.
- Average yellow cards: 3.32 per match
- Average red cards: Around 0.04 per match
- Style: Allows physical play when possible while maintaining firm authority
- Strengths: Player communication, positioning, conflict prevention, VAR management
Rather than stopping play for minor contact, she generally prefers to let the game flow and intervene decisively when fouls become clear or tensions rise.
She follows an intense training regimen comparable to that of elite footballers, including daily workouts, sprint coaching, strength training, cognitive exercises, and specialized recovery sessions.
Penso says referees must be fit enough to keep pace with stars such as Kylian Mbappé throughout a match, while also handling the pressure of performing in front of tens of thousands of fans.
Career Controversies
- 2023 Women’s World Cup Final: Some England fans questioned several decisions during the Spain-England final, including a challenge involving Lauren Hemp and a missed corner kick late in the match. FIFA’s referee observers nevertheless strongly backed her overall performance.
- Online Criticism: Like most officials, she has faced intense online scrutiny. Despite regularly facing at times, violent criticism, she embraces the responsibility of being a female referee on the global stage and sees her role as an opportunity to represent women in leadership positions across the sport.
Full Officiating Crew for Czechia vs. South Africa
FIFA has appointed the following officials for the Group A encounter:
- Referee: Tori Penso
- Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo (USA)
- Assistant Referee 2: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
- Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh from New Zealand (New Zealand)
- VAR: Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua)
The match will feature an all-female American on-field officiating team led by Penso, another landmark moment in FIFA World Cup history.
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Isaac Trevis (New Zealand)
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR): Joe Dickerson (USA)
- Support Video Assistant Referee (SVAR): Mohammed Obaid Khadim (United Arab Emirates)
