History-making gay referee has a heart-warming World Cup love story to tell
Brooke Mayo is the first publicly out gay referee to officiate a men's FIFA World Cup match. Her wife supported her at the Women's World Cup in 2023.
Mark
The congratulations and celebrations have been plentiful for the first all-American, all-female refereeing crew to officiate at a Men’s FIFA World Cup.
Brooke Mayo, who with Kathryn Nesbitt was an assistant to referee Tori Penso for the Czech Republic’s 1-1 Group A draw with South Africa in Atlanta, can now say she is a part of U.S. soccer history.
The LGBTQ landmark is something Mayo is also proud of. That was clear from a quick exchange of messages with Outsports earlier in the week, following the news of her appointment.
The 37-year-old, who is gay, continues to chalk up achievements and honors. She began 2026 by being voted U.S. Soccer’s Female Referee of the Year, having already attained career goals in the Women’s World Cup, Olympic Games and MLS.
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Her journey to the top of the game also contains elements of a heart-warming love story.
The Texas native graduated in exercise science from Tennessee Tech University in 2011 and has now been officiating for 24 years.
She lives in Colorado with her wife Falon, and previously wrote in a Pride Month blog for the National Intercollegiate Soccer Official Association (NISOA) website about moving states due to safety concerns for their family.
“Soccer is truly a beautiful game that has the capability of uniting the world,” she wrote, adding: “To everyone who has made me feel accepted, I say thank you.
“To anyone out there who might be struggling in their journey, please know you have a home with us on the soccer field and an ally in me.”
For the love of the game, at the Women’s World Cup
The strong support Mayo gets from her wife can be seen in a remarkable story the referee shared with Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times before the tournament kicked off.
Mayo was looking back on her time at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, when Falon flew out to watch her be part of Penso’s crew during the group stage.
“I told her like, hey, it’s our first World Cup. So she came to that and then went home,” said Mayo.
She officiated in two group games and a last-16 tie. Penso’s crew was then appointed to the semifinal in Sydney. Mayo called her wife.
“I said ‘this might be the biggest appointment in my entire career, in Australia in front of 75,000 fans. You’ve got to come to this.'”
So Falon flew out again, a 38-hour round trip, to see Mayo running the line as England beat the hosts. The final would be held in the same Stadium Australia four days later.
Mayo was then told she’d be officiating that game as well. But Falon had already gone back.
“I said, ‘well, you’ve gotta come back’.”
Falon declined. The expense would be too great. But a group of MLS officials chipped in to pay for her third ticket Down Under, which would get her to Sydney for Spain v England in the Women’s World Cup final.
Brooke Mayo’s message for those who need to ‘see themselves represented’
Fast forward three years, and Falon was also on a flight from Denver to Atlanta in time for the historic men’s World Cup game on Thursday.
Speaking to U.S. Soccer on the eve of the game, Mayo made sure to thank her and all their family and friends.
She made it in time. Mayo was the assistant referee in the biggest match in women’s soccer, and her wife knew she wanted more than anything to be there to witness it.
“Without their support, I would not be in this position. Success does not come from one person, everyone needs a team and I am grateful to have an amazing team of supporters.
“My mom and dad have watched every single game I have officiated that has had a live stream option for over a decade.
“My wife, who has seen the ups and the downs of the journey and supported me in both, couldn’t be more proud and will be attending any matches we receive along with my sister, who is also one of my biggest supporters.”
In the same Q&A, Mayo emphasized that representation matters, and you should ignore those who would try to rain on your parade. Inspiring young girls is hugely important, but that’s not the only consideration.
“When you witness or experience any negativity online or in person — sexism, homophobia, racism, etc. — know that kind of negativity is coming from, as I like to say, “shoulda, coulda, woulda people.”
“They try to bring people down because of their own lack of confidence and success. But I hope this message goes to more than just girls.
“I hope anyone who feels like they have never seen themselves represented at the highest level, we see you, we support you, and we are ready to cheer you on as long as you’re willing to put in the work! You belong.”
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