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Meet the World Cup referee paving the way for women
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 24, 2026
· 9 min read
By Reagan Yip, Amanda Davies, CNN (CNN) — When Tori Penso walked onto the field, her three daughters were with her – their names inscribed on her cleats as a reminder of what the occasion meant beyond the whistle. Weeks before her 40th birthday, Penso became the first American woman – and the sec...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 Indexed here Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Weeks before her 40th birthday, Penso became the first American woman – and the second woman ever – to referee a men’s World Cup match.
Why this matters in The El Paso
Tori Penso's achievement as the first American woman to referee a men's World Cup match resonates in El Paso, where local soccer enthusiasts and young athletes can draw inspiration from her trailblazing career. As a community that values diversity and inclusivity, El Paso can appreciate the significance of Penso's milestone, which paves the way for women in sports. The fact that only 3.5% of officials picked for the tournament were women underscores the need for continued progress in promoting gender equality in sports. In El Paso, where soccer is a popular sport, Penso's story can motivate local girls and women to pursue careers in refereeing and other male-dominated fields, helping to create a more level playing field for future generations. As the city's soccer community continues to grow, Penso's achievement serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and opportunity in sports.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 9 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Reagan Yip, Amanda Davies, CNN (CNN) — When Tori Penso walked onto the field, her three daughters were with her – their names inscribed on her cleats as a reminder of what the occasion meant beyond the whistle. Weeks before her 40th birthday, Penso became the first American woman – and the sec...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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