Mexican referee Katia Itzel García wrote an unforgettable chapter in soccer history by becoming the first Mexican woman to serve as the head referee in a 2026 FIFA World Cup match. Her performance in the match between the Netherlands and Tunisia, played in Kansas City, marked a historic moment for both Mexican refereeing and Mexican sports.
From the moment she stepped onto the field, Katia Itzel made an impression that caught the attention of thousands of fans. Her uniform featured details in the colors of the Mexican flag on her shoulders and shorts—a symbolic touch that marked a day that will go down in her career.
A debut with key moments
The referee, a graduate of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), exuded confidence from the very first minute of the match.
Just three minutes into the game, he awarded the first goal of the match following an own goal by Tunisian captain Ellyes Skhiri—a decision that did not spark any controversy.
One of the most striking moments came in the 11th minute, when he accidentally found himself in the path of a play.
Dutch defender Nathan Aké was unable to avoid contact and ended up knocking her down as both players were trying to regain their footing during a counterattack.
The incident was just a footnote, and the game continued without any major complications (Filed under: Katia Itzel García Makes History).
Constant communication and support from the VAR
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For much of the first half, the Netherlands’ dominance allowed the match to proceed smoothly.
Katia Itzel García maintained constant communication with the players and handled disciplinary matters smoothly.
One of the most unusual moments of the game occurred at the start of the second half.
Tunisia took some time to get all eleven players onto the field, a situation that required a brief consultation between the referee and the fourth official before play could resume.
Later on, the VAR stepped in to review a goal by Tunisia.
While waiting for the decision, Katia Itzel urged the African players to remain calm.
Once the review was complete, she successfully validated the entry (Filed under: Katia Itzel García Makes History).
She left behind an image that caught the attention of thousands of fans
NuevaOnda.com
A historic milestone for Mexican refereeing
The match went off without any major refereeing controversies.
This is often seen as a positive indicator for any central referee in a high-pressure setting like the World Cup.
Her debut marks a recognition of the growth of women’s refereeing in Mexico.
And it reaffirms the confidence that FIFA has placed in one of the most promising female referees on the international stage.
His performance in Kansas City will not just go down as just another game in the 2026 World Cup.
Rather, it is a historic moment for Mexican sports and for the new generations of women who aspire to referee games at the highest level (Filed under: Katia Itzel García Makes History).
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