WOMEN
Katia Garcia to referee Netherlands‑Tunisia World Cup match
Mexican referee Katia Garcia, 33, will take charge of the Netherlands' final group match against Tunisia at the FIFA Men's World Cup, with kick‑off slated for 01:00 Dutch time on Thursday night/Friday morning. The Dutch side sit top of Group A after a draw with Japan and a convincing win over Sweden.
Garcia becomes only the third woman ever to referee a men's World Cup game, following French official Stéphanie Frappart and American Tori Penso. Frappart made history in Qatar 2022, while Penso officiated the South Africa‑Czech Republic group match earlier this tournament.
At this tournament Garcia has already served as fourth official in three matches: the Netherlands‑Japan group game, England‑Croatia, and the United States‑Australia fixture. This will be her first appointment as the main referee in a men's World Cup match.
Garcia's experience includes leading two group matches at the 2023 Women's World Cup and the opening women's tournament match between Germany and Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In Mexico she refereed sixteen men’s league games last season, issuing 77 yellow cards and two reds.
The Dutch squad have been warned that any yellow cards received in the Tunisia game will be erased after the group stage, but red cards will trigger suspensions. Consequently, the Netherlands are urged to avoid unnecessary cautions.
With the group already secured, the Netherlands can focus on progressing to the knockout phase, while Garcia’s appointment marks a further step for female officials in top‑level men’s football. Her performance will be closely watched as the tournament moves into the round of 16.