Brooke Mayo Officiated Men's World Cup Match
In June 2026, Brooke Mayo became the first openly gay official to work a men's FIFA World Cup game in Atlanta.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Soccer
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Brooke Mayo made history in June 2026 by officiating a FIFA World Cup match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta. She served as part of the first all-American, all-woman officiating crew to manage a men's World Cup game.
Why it matters
Mayo's appearance at the tournament underscores shifting representation in high-level sports officiating. Her participation follows her recognition as the 2025 Female Official of the Year by U.S. Soccer.
Mayo has successfully officiated over 100 MLS matches during her career. She maintains professional standards by utilizing a 24-hour period after each match to review footage and solicit feedback from fellow officials.
The players
Brooke Mayo
She is a professional soccer referee and a former Tennessee Tech women's soccer player who became the first openly gay official to work a men's FIFA World Cup match.
U.S. Soccer
This is the national governing body for soccer in the United States that oversees officiating programs and recognizes top professional talent.
Tori Penso
She is a veteran professional soccer referee who served on the historic all-woman officiating crew alongside Mayo.
Kathryn Nesbitt
She is a high-level soccer official who joined Mayo and Penso on the field during the 2026 men's World Cup.
The details
Officiating alongside Tori Penso and Kathryn Nesbitt, Mayo broke gender and orientation barriers on the global stage. An alumna of the Tennessee Tech women's soccer team, she previously gained international experience at the 2023 Women's World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Timeline
2023: Mayo officiated at the Women's World Cup.
2024: Mayo officiated at the Paris Olympics.
2024: Mayo publicly came out as LGBTQ+.
2025: Mayo was named U.S. Soccer Female Official of the Year.
June 2026: Mayo officiated a men's FIFA World Cup game.
The Big Picture
Mayo's trajectory follows the professional development model encouraged by the NCAA Player to Ref program. Her advancement reflects a broader trend of athletes transitioning into officiating roles to improve game management quality across professional leagues.
As a lead official, Mayo's presence sets a precedent for diverse officiating crews in future FIFA tournaments. Her career growth from a local $9 referee to a World Cup official provides a clear roadmap for aspiring officials entering the U.S. Soccer development pipeline.
The takeaway
Brooke Mayo's historic role demonstrates how professional athletic experience can translate into elite-level officiating. Her career path offers a blueprint for athletes seeking to contribute to the sport after their playing days conclude.
Further reading
For more on the development of professional match officials, see Soccer.
More information
View additional details on the NCAA Player to Ref program info.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NCAA.
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