Christina E. Unkel was born on May 14, 1987, and grew up in Florida, where she took up sports at a young age. She began refereeing soccer at age 10, after being encouraged by her youth coach to learn the rules. She went on to play NCAA Division II soccer at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, graduating in 2008, before earning a Juris Doctor and MBA from Stetson University.

Unkel became a FIFA referee in 2013 and officiated women’s international matches and professional games in the United States. She later became a VAR-certified PRO referee before transitioning into broadcasting, making her television debut as a rules analyst for Fox Sports during the 2019 Women’s World Cup. She subsequently worked with CBS Sports, ESPN, and Apple while providing expert explanations of refereeing decisions and soccer laws.

Christina Unkel is currently CBS Sports‘ rules analyst across its soccer properties, including UEFA Champions League, NWSL, Serie A, and Concacaf coverage. She also returned to ITV for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after making her UK broadcasting debut during UEFA Euro 2024. Outside broadcasting, she serves as President and General Manager of Tampa Bay Sun FC and co-hosts Soccerish with Lori Lindsey.