Mexico's Katia García Makes History as Women's World Cup Ref
Katia Itzel García will become one of just two women among 52 main referees at the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, breaking barriers in a sport traditionally dominated by men. The Mexico City native has already made history as the first woman in 20 years to referee a top-division Liga MX match.
When the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup kicks off in 45 days, Katia Itzel García will step onto the field carrying more than just a whistle.
The 32-year-old from Mexico City will make history as one of only two women selected as main referees among the 52 chosen worldwide for the tournament. She's the sole woman appointed from Mexico, joining Florida's Tori Penso as the only female head referees at this summer's championship.
García isn't new to high-stakes soccer. She's already officiated the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. But the men's World Cup represents a different kind of milestone in a sport where gender barriers have been slow to fall.
In 2024, she broke a two-decade barrier by becoming the first woman in 20 years to referee a Liga MX top-division match. That same year, she became the first woman ever to referee a U.S. men's national team match during a USA-Panama friendly in Austin, Texas.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in tournament history, with 48 teams playing 104 matches across Mexico, the United States, and Canada through July 19. The expanded format means 170 match officials, including seven from Mexico, will work the games.
Mexico will have two main referees at the tournament, matching the United States, England, and France. The other Mexican referee is César Ramos, 42, who has worked two previous World Cups.
Why This Inspires
García's appointment sends a powerful message to young girls watching from the sidelines. Every time she takes the field, she proves that expertise and dedication matter more than outdated assumptions about who belongs in positions of authority.
Sandra Ramirez, 37, from Guadalajara, who will work as one of three female assistant referees, captured the moment's significance perfectly: "We are going to go and kill it. There is no other way."
The tournament starts June 11 when Mexico faces South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and García will be ready.
Based on reporting by Mexico News Daily
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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