World Health Day, celebrated every April 7, marked this year’s launch of a campaign focused on maternal and newborn health. In this context, FIFA has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international female referees in combining motherhood with their refereeing careers, especially on the road to refereeing at a World Cup.
Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb, head of FIFA’s Women’s Refereeing Department, emphasized that “FIFA works with elite female referees around the world, many of whom are mothers. Our aim is to foster an inclusive and diverse environment, where everyone is treated fairly. We want to break down barriers: being a mother and a referee at a World Cup is possible.”
Stories of inspiration in refereeing
One prominent example is Tori Penso, an American referee who officiated the final of the Australia-New Zealand Women’s World Cup 2023. Penso, a mother of three daughters, shared how her passion for refereeing started as a hobby, but transformed into a professional goal after the France 2019 World Cup. “I was inspired by stories of female referees who were mothers and professionals. I decided to dedicate myself fully to refereeing and set a goal to be at the next World Cup.”
Reconciling training, travel and motherhood was not easy, but Penso achieved her goal. Her daughters were present at the stadium during the final, a moment that she highlighted as a key message for other female referees: “We are building a culture where women feel supported and empowered to achieve their goals”.
Motherhood and refereeing: a possible path
Canadian Myriam Marcotte is also an example of how FIFA supports female referees in their motherhood. In February, Marcotte, seven months pregnant, attended the FIFA Elite Women Referees Seminar in Costa Rica as part of the preparation for the Brazil 2027 Women’s World Cup. “I doubted if I could go, but they really wanted me to be part of the process. It was a special feeling.”
During the seminar, Marcotte found a supportive and understanding environment, which allowed her to actively participate as she prepared for her next challenge. “This will open many doors for other female referees to feel free to talk about their maternity plans without fear that it will affect their careers.”
Adjustments to support mother referees
Australia’s Lara Lee had a similar experience. After giving birth to her daughter Kingsley, she received an invitation to attend the FIFA Elite Women Referees Seminar in Qatar. Although she was initially concerned about the restrictions on accompanying persons, FIFA allowed her to travel with her mother, who supported her during the event. “They made me feel completely supported. They even adjusted schedules so I could breastfeed my daughter,” Lee recounted.
Lee, who dreams of refereeing at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, highlighted how FIFA’s support has changed her perspective: “I used to think that I should become a mother only after finishing my career. Today I know that it is possible to combine both.”
With stories like those of Penso, Marcotte and Lee, the organization seeks to inspire more women to pursue their dreams in refereeing, demonstrating that motherhood is not an obstacle, but an integral part of their professional careers.
