Complete list of female referees at FIFA World Cup 2026
Two female referees will officiate games in the ongoing World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a historic edition of the quadrennial tournament, featuring an expanded roster of 48 nations and 104 matches. The groundbreaking nature of the competition is cemented by the presence of multiple female referees officiating the biggest football tournament in the world.
Female referees made their men’s World Cup debut four years earlier in Qatar. This year, the football governing body has continued the tradition, selecting two female referees and several match officials for the ongoing tournament in North America.
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Who are the female referees in FIFA World Cup 2026?
One of them, Tori Penso, stole the spotlight when she officiated the Group A match between Czechia and South Africa on June 18. One of the most well-known female referees in North America, she was in charge of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 final. She also made history by becoming the first full-time female referee in MLS history.
Penso’s Mexican colleague Katia Garcia is the other female referee taking part in the tournament. The 33-year-old is the youngest referee – male or female – who is officiating a World Cup game this year. Part of the Mexican Liga MX, she has also officiated matches in continental club competitions.
List of female referees & match officials in FIFA World Cup 2026
There are six female match officials taking part in the tournament – two referees, three assistant referees, and one video match official (VMO). Interestingly, all of them are from the CONCACAF region.
- Central referees: Tori Penso (USA), Katia Garcia (Mexico)
- Assistant referees: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA), Brooke Mayo (USA), Sandra Ramirez (Mexico)
- VMO: Tatiana Guzman (Nicaragua)
How many female referees are officiating at FIFA World Cup 2026?
There are two female referees selected, alongside three assistant referees and one video match official (VMO).
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.