These three US women are making World Cup referee history this week

American women are making history at the men's World Cup.

A trio of U.S. women were tapped as the officiating crew for the match between South Africa and Czechia in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18. It's only the second time there's been an all-woman officiating crew at a men's World Cup, and the first time the officials are all American.

Tori Penso, the first American woman to be a lead referee at the men's World Cup, is the head official. Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt will be the assistant referees.

The trio previously was the officiating crew for the final of the 2023 women's World Cup, with Penso serving as the lead referee for the match between England and Spain.

The first all-woman team to officiate a game at the men's World Cup came four years ago in Qatar. France's Stephanie Frappart, who also made history as the first woman to officiate a men's World Cup match, led the crew for the Germany-Costa Rica group-stage game, and was assisted by Neuza Back of Brazil and Karen Diaz of Mexico.

Penso has been a soccer referee since 2013, officiating games in Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League. Last year, Penso was one of 35 referees to work FIFA's men's Club World Cup.

“Female officials are capable, whether that be physically or mentally or technically. I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish so far,” Penso told the Treasure Coast Newspapers — part of the a USA TODAY Network — last year. “There's still so much for us to do.”

World Cup schedule

• Group Stage: June 11-June 27
• Round of 32: June 28-July 3
• Round of 16 : July 4-7
• Quarterfinals: July 9-11
• Semifinals: July 14-15
• Third-place game: July 18 (Miami Gardens, Florida)
• Final: July 19 (East Rutherford, New Jersey)