The Mexican Katia Itzel García wrote a historic page this Sunday, June 14, by becoming the first woman from her country to join a refereeing body in a men’s World Cup. The referee from the capital served as the fourth referee in the match between Japan and the Netherlands, played in Dallas for Group F of the 2026 World Cup.
The Mexican Sandra Ramírez also participated in the meeting, who served as a reserve assistant. The presence of both represents an important step for Mexican refereeing in the highest soccer competition.
The appointment is the most recent achievement in the career of García, who in March 2024 became the second woman to direct a Liga MX match, two decades after Virginia Tovar. She was also the first referee to officiate a men’s Gold Cup match.
In addition, he was part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and received the 2024 National Sports Award as the best judge in Mexico. Her achievements have consolidated her as one of the most prominent figures in Mexican women’s arbitration.
García is one of the two central referees appointed by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, along with the American Tori Penso. Both follow the path opened by Frenchwoman Stéphanie Frappart, who in Qatar 2022 became the first woman to direct a match in a men’s World Cup.
At that World Cup there was also a Mexican presence with Karen Díaz as assistant referee, a precedent that reflects the sustained growth of female participation in refereeing FIFA men’s tournaments.
Katia Itzel García’s next commitment will be on June 17, when she will serve as the fourth referee in the match between England and Croatia, corresponding to Group L. Sandra Ramírez will once again accompany her as a reserve assistant in a new historical chapter for Mexican refereeing.