Kathryn Nesbitt (also called Katy Nesbitt) is an American FIFA assistant referee who was born on November 7, 1988, in Rochester, New York, and holds a PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.
Nesbitt officiated the match between the Czech Republic and South Africa (1–1) on 18 June at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as part of the first all-American, all-women officiating crew at a men’s World Cup.
Katy Nesbitt’s Early Life and Background
Kathryn Nesbitt was born on November 7, 1988, in Rochester, New York and started participating in sports while young, where she did figure skating during her school years and later played volleyball in college
Katy’s journey into refereeing began early when she started officiating matches at just 14 years old, initially as a way to stay involved in sport and earn some money during the summer.
“Everyone has their own path. I started as a kid as a summer job, and that kept me involved in soccer and eventually kept me involved in sports. I really liked staying active,” Kathryn told FIFA.
Katy’s Education and Academic Career
Katy Nesbitt studied at St. John Fisher College (now St. John Fisher College University) in New York, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2010.
Nesbitt then attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a PhD in Chemistry in 2015.
Katy Nesbitt’s field was analytical chemistry, where she focused on research into brain chemistry and advanced scientific testing methods.
After completing her PhD, Nesbitt worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan and later became an assistant professor at Towson University.
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Katy balanced science and football for nearly a decade before taking a bold step of leaving academia in 2019 to focus on refereeing full-time.
Refereeing Career
Katy Nesbitt made her professional debut in 2013 in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as an assistant referee.
Nesbitt began officiating full-time in 2019, leaving a career in analytical chemistry and as an assistant professor at Towson University in Baltimore to do so.
“In science, it often doesn’t work out when you’re studying something. Refereeing is also not the easiest job. You’re often hated by half the fans and not well-liked by some of the players, so finding a way to work through these struggles and bounce back is a skill that works well in both fields,” Nesbitt shared in 2023.
In 2015, she began officiating in Major League Soccer (MLS), and by 2016, Nesbitt earned her FIFA badge, allowing her to officiate international matches.
Katy Nesbitt has officiated several friendlies and other matches at international tournaments, including at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Nesbitt served as an assistant referee, making history as the first female referee to officiate a men’s knockout-stage game, between England and Senegal, of the tournament.
Katy was also appointed as a reserve assistant referee for the final match between Argentina and France at the 2022 World Cup.
On August 20, 2023, Nesbitt, along with pitch referee Tori Penso and fellow assistant referee Brooke Mayo, became the first American refereeing team to officiate a World Cup final; the match was played between Spain and England.
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Nesbitt was appointed, alongside referee Tory Penso and assistant referee Brooke Mayo, in April 2026 to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making them the first all-female and all-American crew of officials at any men’s FIFA World Cup.
Achievements and Awards
Some of Nesbitt’s achievements include:
- First woman to officiate a men’s professional championship match in North America (MLS Cup 2020)
- MLS Assistant Referee of the Year (2020)
- Officiated at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as an assistant referee, becoming one of the first women involved in a men’s World Cup
- First female assistant referee in a men’s World Cup knockout match
- Part of the first all-American, all-female officiating team at a men’s World Cup (2026)
- Became first American referee to officiate a FIFA Women’s World Cup final; the match between Spain and England in 2023
- In January 2025, Nesbitt was named U.S. Soccer Female Referee of the Year
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