Tori Penso – Bio, Career, Age, Achievements

INTRODUCTION

Tori Penso is an American professional soccer referee whose assignments have broken major barriers in both U.S. and international football. She has officiated in MLS, the NWSL, the Olympics, and the FIFA World Cup.

Birth name: Mary Victoria Hancock

Career

Professional soccer referee

Birthday

July 8, 1986

Age

Zodiac Sign:

Cancer

Birthplace:

Stuart, Florida, United States

Nationality:

American

HOW BIG IS Tori Penso ON THE NET?

Tori’s refereeing profile reached another historic level in 2026. Concacaf confirmed that she was one of only two women selected as lead referees for the men’s FIFA World Cup, making her the first American woman selected as a lead referee at a men’s World Cup.

HOW DID Tori Penso become famous?

Penso became the first woman in two decades to referee an MLS regular-season match in 2020. She later officiated the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final and received Olympic assignments in Paris before being selected for the 2026 men’s World Cup.

BEFORE THE FAME

Born and raised in Stuart, Florida, Tori began refereeing youth soccer as a teenager. She graduated from Florida State University and later earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University while also working in marketing.

CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED);

Tori is married to fellow professional referee Chris Penso. Her international career has placed her among FIFA’s leading officials, while her World Cup appointments connect her with a small group of women who have broken into the highest levels of men’s international refereeing.

Personal LIFE and Relationship

Tori was born Mary Victoria Hancock and later took the surname Penso after marrying Chris Penso. The couple have children, and both have worked in professional soccer officiating while balancing family life with extensive travel and match assignments.