After losing in their first matches in Group A, the Czech and South African teams need to resume their journey in the 2026 World Cup with the second match.
They meet in Mercedes Benz Stadium In Atlanta, knowing that a victory for one of their own would put the lead back in their hands, and that a defeat would leave their fate in doubt, even if they won their last game.
After the opening day drama in Mexico City, South Africa You must keep 11 players on the field to have any hope of winning Czech Republic.
Appointing a referee for the match between the Czech Republic and South Africa
Today’s first Group A match will be officiated by a referee taking part in the first ever men’s World Cup on home soil.
Tori I think She is a 39-year-old referee from Florida, and was in the middle of Spain’s win over England in the recent Women’s World Cup final in Sydney.
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Benso was most recently added to the FIFA roster in 2021 and has quickly risen through the ranks, taking charge of her first Women’s World Cup final, and now joins the 2026 roster as one of the top American referees.
She is the first American female referee in a men’s World Cup, and was the first full-time female referee in Major League Soccer, where she has been for the past six years.
The 2026 Major League Soccer season began in February and is on hiatus for the World Cup. In nine matches so far, Benso has yet to issue a red card and concede one penalty kick. She has averaged a shade more than four yellow cards per match.
Czechia vs South Africa is Benso’s first match in the Men’s World Cup, and Bafana Bafana will be hoping for a better result than the two red cards he received against them. Mexico In their first match.
Benso has never refereed either men’s or women’s football in any of these countries.
Benso will lead an all-American women’s trio complemented by assistant referees Catherine Nesbitt and Brooke Mayo. The fourth official will be taken over by New Zealander Campbell Kirk Quana Wu.
VAR will be led by Tatiana Guzman Nicaragua.
