FIFA has officially announced the list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament to be held from June 11 to July 19 in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The list features two prominent Mexican representatives: Katia García and César Ramos.
In addition to the two main referees, there are five other Mexicans on the list: • Sandra Ramírez (Assistant Referee) • Alberto Morín (Assistant Referee) • Marco Bisguerra (Assistant Referee) • Erick Miranda (Video Assistant Referee) • Guillermo Pacheco (Video Assistant Referee)
In total, the organization has appointed 52 main referees, 88 assistants, and 30 video assistants, forming the largest refereeing team in the tournament's history. This is 41 more referees than in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Katia García and César Ramos have experience in international competitions, including the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the Olympic Games, the Gold Cup, and the Club World Cup. Their careers as FIFA referees span over a decade, establishing them as some of Mexico's most consistent representatives in international competitions.
“All candidates were closely evaluated by FIFA instructors, physical trainers, doctors, and physiotherapists, and they received comprehensive support to ensure they meet the highest possible standards for the tournament,” said Massimo Busacca, Head of FIFA's Refereeing Division.
“As in previous editions of the World Cup, technology will be very important to help the refereeing teams make decisions,” he added.
During the 2024 Clausura of the MX League, Katia García became the first woman in 20 years to referee a first-division match in Mexico, the second in the history of Mexican football. Her presence at the FIFA World Cup marks a continuation of the inclusion of women in high-level refereeing.
“Our objective is to ensure they are in optimal physical and mental condition when they arrive in Miami on May 31st,” Busacca noted.
