| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Main referee | The on-field judge during soccer games, supported by a team of line judges and video referees. |
| FIFA | Soccer’s international governing body, responsible for major tournaments. |
| Inclusivity | Including all types of people, things or ideas and treating them all fairly and equally. |
Katia Itzel García is set to make history as one of the two female main referees at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone for women in sports. This event will take place across Mexico, the United States, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Among the 52 main referees selected worldwide, García stands out as one of only two women in charge.
The upcoming tournament will see an expanded format with 48 teams playing 104 matches, requiring a larger team of match officials, consisting of 170 individuals, the largest in World Cup history.
García, a 32-year-old native of Mexico City, will be officiating her first men’s World Cup. She has previously made strides in women’s soccer, having worked at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics. Her achievements include being the first woman in two decades to referee a Liga MX top-division match and the first woman to officiate a U.S. men’s national team match in 2024.
Alongside García, Tori Penso of Florida will also serve as a main referee, becoming the first American woman in this role at a men’s World Cup. In total, the tournament will feature six female officials, including three assistant referees and one video review official.
César Ramos, another Mexican, will join García in representing the country. Ramos has extensive experience, having officiated in previous World Cups and Mexico’s top professional league, Liga MX. The presence of female referees in this high-profile event highlights the growing inclusivity in sports, reflecting a broader push for gender equality.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Referee | Árbitro |
| Official | Oficial |
| History | Historia |
Time to discuss
- Why is the inclusion of female referees in men’s sports events significant?
- How does the expansion of the World Cup format impact the tournament?
- What challenges might female referees face in a predominantly male sport?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- Discuss the potential impact of Katia Itzel García’s role as a referee on women’s participation in sports.
- Explain the importance of having a diverse group of officials in international sports tournaments.
