Ecuador entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the main South American challengers, finishing just below champions Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. Two rounds into the group stage, the chances of qualifying for the knockouts hang by a thread.
So it will be looking forward to nothing less than a victory against the already qualified Germany on Thursday at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, USA.
Who is the female referee in Ecuador vs Germany at FIFA World Cup 2026?
American referee Tori Penso of the United States will officiate in Ecuador versus Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making her only the second female referee to officiate a FIFA Men’s World Cup match.
The 39-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2021.
In 2020, Penso became the first woman to manage an all-female team in a men’s competition organized by CONCACAF – a World Cup qualifier.
In 2023, she officiated the FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England. She officiated nine games in Major League Soccer last season and issued 37 yellow cards, an average of about four per game.
The match in Group E will be her second match in the current World Cup. She had previously taken charge in the Group A match between the Czech Republic and South Africa.
Full list of match officials for Ecuador vs Germany:
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Referee: Tori Penso (United States)
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Assistant Referee 1: Kathryn Nesbitt (United States)
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Assistant Referee 2: Brooke Mayo (United States)
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Fourth official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
Published on June 25, 2026
