On Thursday, Mexico’s Katia García will referee the Group F match between Tunisia and the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City, becoming the third woman to referee a match in the top-tier international competition.
García, born in Mexico City on September 1, 1992, is following in the footsteps of France’s Stephanie Frappart, who officiated the Germany-Costa Rica match in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and by American Tori Penso, who officiated last Thursday’s Group A match at the 2026 World Cup between the Czech Republic and South Africa.
He continues to break barriers in officiating
The Mexican referee—the first woman to officiate a men’s Gold Cup match and the second in the Mexican league, who also officiated at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Games—will be assisted on the sidelines by her compatriot Sandra Ramírez and by Spain’s José Enrique Naranjo.
The fourth official will be Juan Gabriel Benítez of Paraguay.
At this World Cup, Katia García has already served as the fourth official in the Netherlands-Japan, England-Croatia, and United States-Australia matches.
She will referee the match between Tunisia and the Netherlands
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In addition, Tori Penso has been appointed to officiate the Group E match between Ecuador and Germany.
The game will also be played on Thursday at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Meanwhile, Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton, who showed Paraguayan Miguel Almirón a red card for addressing an opponent while covering his mouth, will referee the Japan-Sweden match.
Clement Turpin of France will referee the Paraguay-Australia match, and Mustapha Ghorbal of Algeria will referee the Turkey-United States match (Filed under: Katia García Makes World Cup History).
Sheinbaum Congratulates Mexican Katia García
On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated Mexican referee Katia García, who on Thursday, during the match between Tunisia and the Netherlands, will become the third woman to referee a men’s World Cup match.
“Congratulations to Katia. Look how all the stigmas—the way women used to be viewed—are being shattered.”
The president noted this during her morning press conference.
The Mexican official’s reaction comes just hours after FIFA confirmed that García will referee Thursday’s Group F match at the 2026 World Cup between Tunisia and the Netherlands in Kansas City (U.S.).
“Among other things, it’s thanks to Katia’s efforts. Obviously.”
“Congratulations to her—she is an example to all the girls in Mexico, to both girls and boys, and to all girls and boys around the world, showing that women can be whatever we want to be.”
“Congratulations, truly—you’re an inspiration,” said Sheinbaum (Filed under: Katia García Makes World Cup History).
With information from EFE
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