Katia Garcia Biography – Katia Garcia Wiki
Katia Garcia has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of football refereeing. Born on September 1, 1992, in Mexico City, this accomplished Mexican referee has been making waves since she earned her FIFA badge in 2019. Her career highlights include officiating at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and taking charge of the bronze-medal match between Egypt and Morocco at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, held at La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes.
In a landmark moment in 2024, Katia broke a two-decade barrier by becoming the first woman in over 20 years to referee a Liga MX men’s match, a significant encounter between Pachuca and Querétaro. Her outstanding skills and decisions on the field did not go unnoticed, as the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) ranked her as the sixth-best referee globally in both 2024 and 2025, recognizing her as the top referee in the Concacaf region.
Katia’s expertise was further showcased when she officiated the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final, a thrilling match between Arsenal Women FC and SC Corinthians, held at Arsenal Stadium in London on February 1, 2026. This event highlighted her capacity to handle high-stakes matches with aplomb.
FIFA World Cup 2026
In a historic achievement, Katia Itzel García was selected by FIFA to serve as one of the lead referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking her as the first Mexican female referee to officiate at a men’s World Cup. She shares this groundbreaking role with Tori Penso from the United States, who will be the first American woman to lead as a referee in a men’s FIFA World Cup.
Joining Garcia and Penso are Assistant Referees Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt from the United States, Sandra Ramirez from Mexico, and Video Match Official Tatiana Guzman from Nicaragua. Together, these six officials represent Concacaf, showcasing the region’s growing influence and representation in the world of international football officiating.
“I can only feel great joy at being the first Mexican female referee to officiate a men’s World Cup match,” said Garcia in an interview with Gaceta UNAM. “I feel gratitude—first to my family, who helped me reach this moment, and also to the female referees who paved the way before me; because it isn’t just about me—there are many others who pushed so that my teammates and I could be where we are today.”
The 2026 tournament will be the largest FIFA World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Garcia and Penso will not only take charge of matches on soccer’s biggest stage but also serve as trailblazers for future generations of referees throughout Concacaf and beyond.