Katia Itzel Garcia to become third woman ever to referee a men's World Cup match

Katia Itzel Garcia will referee Tunisia vs Netherlands in Group F of the 2026 World Cup at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with kick-off set for 6pm local time (midnight UK time). The appointment makes the 33-year-old only the third woman ever to officiate a men’s World Cup match.

Garcia follows in the footsteps of France’s Stephanie Frappart, who broke the barrier at the 2022 World Cup, and American Tori Penso, who refereed earlier in this edition of the tournament. A Mexico City native, Garcia already carries significant experience across both the men’s and women’s games, having become the first female referee in two decades to take charge of a match in the Mexican men’s top flight in 2024, before going on to officiate at the Paris Olympics later that year.

She will be assisted on the touchlines by Sandra Ramirez of Mexico and Spaniard Jose Enrique Naranjo Perez, completing an all-Spanish-speaking officiating team alongside fourth official Juan Gabriel Benitez of Paraguay and reserve assistant Milciades Saldivar. Details of the VAR crew are yet to be confirmed.

On the pitch, the match carries meaningful stakes for the Netherlands despite Tunisia’s elimination. The Dutch need to ensure Japan do not overtake them on goal difference at the top of Group F. Tunisia arrive having been beaten by both Japan and Sweden, but a result against the Netherlands could still influence the final standings in the group.