Brooke Mayo, a former Tennessee Tech soccer player and coach, has been appointed as an assistant referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a role that places her among the elite officials set to oversee the tournament's most high‑profile matches.
A Milestone for Women in Soccer Officiating
Mayo’s selection marks a significant breakthrough for women in the refereeing ranks, underscoring the growing pipeline of female officials who are reshaping the sport’s governance.
Her career began on the field as a standout student‑athlete at Tennessee Tech, where she earned the NCAA Woman of the Year honor in her senior season and later transitioned to coaching before turning her focus to officiating.
Since then, she has officiated at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, gaining invaluable experience on the world stage.
The accolade of being named U.S. Soccer’s 2025 Female Referee of the Year further cemented her reputation, leading to her latest appointment as an assistant referee for the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the whistle, Mayo plans to return to K‑12 education, aiming to teach middle school physical education while continuing to mentor aspiring referees.
She has expressed a commitment to investing in the next generation, noting that referees benefit from coaching and that she intends to allocate resources toward developing future officials.
Reflecting on her journey, Mayo says, “I want to give back to the community that shaped me, both on the field and in the classroom,” highlighting her dual dedication to sport and education.