Rapinoe will be joined by 16 others, including Simone Biles, Gabby Giffords, Denzel Washington, and the late John McCain and Steve Jobs.
Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi will become the first woman to officiate in the Italian top flight after she was promoted to the Serie A refereeing pool.
Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe are among 17 new recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.