Mexican Referees Selected for the 2026 World Cup: César Arturo Ramos and Katia Itzel García Lead the Way

Emmanuel Martinez
Nov 20
2 min read

Mexico’s presence at the 2026 World Cup will not only be felt on the field—it will also be seen in the refereeing crew. As of now, César Arturo Ramos and Katia Itzel García are the only Mexican officials included by FIFA in the preliminary list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Mexico, the United States and Canada. Their recent careers have made them the strongest candidates presented by the Mexican Football Federation’s Referee Commission (FMF).

César Arturo Ramos: Mexico’s Most Experienced FIFA Referee

Born in 1983 in Culiacán, César Arturo Ramos has long been the most recognizable Mexican referee on the international stage. He has been a FIFA-listed official since 2014 and has already worked matches at both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. His résumé includes high-intensity games in the Concacaf Champions League, the 2019 Asian Cup, and the 2024 Copa América.

Domestically, Ramos is frequently appointed to Liga MX’s biggest pressure moments—Clásicos, finals, knockout matches, and key games tied to Concacaf World Cup qualifying. FIFA values referees with heavy experience in hostile environments, and Ramos’ track record positions him as a reliable candidate for high-stakes matches at the 2026 tournament.

Katia Itzel García: A Historic Pioneer for Mexican Refereeing

Alongside Ramos, Katia Itzel García represents a breakthrough moment for Mexico. A FIFA referee since 2019, she became the first woman in 20 years to officiate as the central referee in a men’s Liga MX match in 2024. Her years of work in youth leagues, women’s competitions, and international events—such as the Gold Cup, Olympic football, and various youth World Cups—have solidified her reputation as one of Concacaf’s top referees.

A Symbol of Resilience and Change

García’s rise has faced challenges. In 2025, she was at the center of controversy following a Leagues Cup match and received online threats, leading to strong public support from FIFA and the FMF. Instead of slowing her progress, the incident elevated her role as a symbol of resilience and reinforced global efforts to protect referees from abuse.

A Shift in Mexico’s Refereeing Era

The fact that only Ramos and García appear on FIFA’s 2026 World Cup shortlist reflects a generational shift. For many years, Mexico regularly contributed larger groups of officials to the FIFA panel. Today, increasing global standards and regional competition—especially with the United States expected to send several referees backed by the MLS and PRO structure—have reduced available spots.

The FMF continues developing young referees, many of whom now look to Ramos and García as examples of what can be achieved with consistency, professionalism, and international readiness.

Carrying Dual Responsibility at the 2026 World Cup

If their selection becomes official, Ramos and García will carry a double mission:

Maintain Mexico’s historic reputation in FIFA tournaments.
Open doors for the next generation, including more women aiming for opportunities in men’s competitions.

Every assignment they receive in qualifiers, regional tournaments, and international friendlies will serve as preparation for the summer of 2026, where referees must demonstrate peak focus, emotional control, and consistency.

Mexico’s impact in the World Cup will go far beyond its players—its referees, led by Ramos and García, are set to represent the nation on the world’s biggest stage.