Picture : Katia Itzel Garcia between Tunisia’s and Netherlands captains Skhiri and Van Dijk.
History continues to be made.
Referees Tori Penso and Katia Itzel García are breaking barriers on football’s biggest stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026. With Stephanie Frappart,they are now 3 women referees to have conducted a man’s World Cup final stage game !
Tori Penso has become the first woman to lead an all-female refereeing team at a FIFA Men’s World Cup and has already taken charge of two matches. Meanwhile, Katia Itzel García has made history as the first Mexican woman to referee a Men’s World Cup match.
Their achievements are inspiring a new generation of match officials around the world and proving that excellence knows no boundaries. Stephanie Frappart was the first to referee a World Cup game in 2022, she is now appointed by UEFA as Head of refereeing for strategic development in Europe.
Tori Penso (USA) and Katia Itzel Garcia (Mexico) entered in History of the World Cup refereeing.