American referee Tori Penso is just the second woman to officiate at a FIFA Men’s World Cup. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Ecuador entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the key South American challengers, finishing just below champion Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. Two rounds into the group stage, its chances to qualify for the knockouts hang by a thread.

It will thus look for nothing less than a win against already-qualified Germany at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, USA, on Thursday.

Who is the female referee in Ecuador vs Germany at FIFA World Cup 2026?

American referee Tori Penso of the United States is the referee in Ecuador vs Germany at the FIFA World Cup 2026, making her just the second woman referee to take charge of a men’s FIFA World Cup match.

The 39-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2021.

In 2020, Penso became the first woman to lead an all-female officiating team in a men’s competition organized by CONCACAF — a FIFA World Cup qualifying match.

In 2023, she officiated the FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England. She officiated nine games in the Major League Soccer last season and gave 37 yellow cards, averaging around four per game.

The Group E match will be her second match in the ongoing World Cup. She had earlier officiated in the Group A match between Czechia and South Africa.

Full list of match officials for Ecuador vs Germany:

• Referee: Tori Penso (United States)
• Assistant Referee 1: Kathryn Nesbitt (United States)
• Assistant Referee 2: Brooke Mayo (United States)
• Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)

Published on Jun 25, 2026