With a career built in international arbitration and several milestones in Mexican soccer, the 33-year-old judge takes a new step in a career that has taken her to the most important stages of sport.
The FIFA Referees Commission appointed Katia Itzel García to direct the match between Tunisia and the Netherlands, corresponding to the third day of Group F of the 2026 World Cup.
With this appointment, the Mexican joins the small group of women who have been central referees in the men’s World Cup, along with the French Stéphanie Frappart, in Qatar 2022, and the American Tori Penso, at the 2026 World Cup, who today directed the game between Germany and Ecuador.
Who is Katia Itzel García?
Born on September 1, 1992 in Mexico City, Katia Itzel García has been an international referee for FIFA since 2019. She has a degree in Political Science and Public Administration and began her professional career in refereeing in 2016.
She has participated in Concacaf competitions, the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she consolidated her experience in high-level tournaments.
In March 2024 she made history by becoming the first woman in two decades to direct a Liga MX match. In addition, she has refereed Liga MX Femenil finals and men’s Gold Cup matches.
Why is your designation historic?
Her presence as a central referee represents an unprecedented event for Mexican soccer and confirms the growth of female participation in international refereeing.
Until before this commitment, García had been designated as the fourth referee in three matches of the 2026 World Cup: Netherlands vs. Japan, England vs. Croatia and the United States vs. Australia.
He now had the responsibility of directing a group stage match, a decision that reflects FIFA’s confidence in his ability to conduct high-demand matches.
His performance has opened the doors for him to receive new appointments during the qualifying rounds and continue expanding a legacy that already occupies a prominent place in the history of Mexican arbitration.