Katia Itzel García: First Mexican Woman to Referee FIFA World Cup
In brief
- García, 33, refereed Tunisia vs. Netherlands group stage match on June 25 in Kansas City
- Third woman ever to referee a men's World Cup match, following Frappart and Penso
- Earned FIFA badge in 2019; first female referee in Liga MX in over two decades
A milestone for Mexican refereeing
García's appointment marks a historic breakthrough for women in Mexican sports. Before her, only France's Stéphanie Frappart and the United States' Tori Penso had crossed that particular barrier, each refereeing men's World Cup matches at the 2022 Qatar tournament. García's achievement extends that circle and signals FIFA's commitment to expanding opportunities for female officials.
The path to Kansas City reflects years of dedication. García began her professional refereeing career in 2017 and earned her FIFA international badge just two years later, in 2019. She brought that experience to the international stage, officiating at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and participating in the 2024 Olympics. Before her World Cup appointment, García served as the fourth official for the Netherlands vs. Japan match on June 14, eleven days prior.
Breaking barriers at home
García's historic rise gained momentum in March 2024, when she became the first female referee to officiate a Liga MX match in over two decades, taking charge of Pachuca vs. Querétaro on March 9. She had already pioneered as the first woman to officiate matches in Liga de Expansión MX, Mexico's second division. Those domestic breakthroughs prepared her for the global stage.
Born on September 1, 1992, García holds a degree in Political Science from UNAM, the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her appointment reflects FIFA's broader institutional push toward gender parity in officiating, a shift that began when the 2022 World Cup in Qatar became the first men's tournament to include female referees. García's presence in Kansas City extends that momentum and opens doors for the next generation of Mexican women entering the sport.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match?
Stéphanie Frappart of France made history as the central referee for Costa Rica vs. Germany at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was the first men's tournament to include female referees. Tori Penso from the United States also refereed a men's World Cup match that same year.
What did García accomplish in Mexican soccer before the World Cup?
In March 2024, García became the first female referee to officiate a Liga MX match in over two decades, taking charge of Pachuca vs. Querétaro. She was also the first woman to officiate matches in Liga de Expansión MX, Mexico's second division.
