Meet Katia Itzel García, Mexican referee nominated for best referee in the world

Mexican referee Katia Itzel García continues to make her mark in the history of international refereeing. She has been included among the twenty nominees for the 2025 Best Women's Football Referee Award , a recognition given by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) to women who stand out for their professionalism, leadership, and excellence on the field.

This isn't the first time the Mexico City native has appeared in this select group. In 2024, the IFFHS ranked her as the sixth best referee in the world , behind only established figures like Rebecca Welch (England), Stéphanie Frappart (France), Tess Olofsson (Sweden), Tori Penso (United States), and Bouchra Karbouibi (Morocco).

Since earning her FIFA badge in 2019 , Katia Itzel has enjoyed a meteoric rise in her career, officiating on some of the most demanding stages in international football. Her talent has led her to referee CONCACAF tournaments, Youth World Cups, the Liga MX (men's and women's leagues), and world-class events such as the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Last year, Itzel García made history by being part of the Mexican refereeing trio along with Karen Díaz and Sandra Ramírez, who participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games , consolidating the role of Mexican women in international refereeing.

With this latest nomination, Katia Itzel García reaffirms her place among the world's elite female referees. The IFFHS final rankings have not yet been published, but the Mexican referee is already among the top twenty women shaping the future of global refereeing.

MF