Tunisia are already out of the competition but could still influence the final standings in Group F if they manage to pull off an unexpected result against the Netherlands.
FIFA has confirmed that Katia Itzel Garcia will officiate the Tunisia vs Netherlands fixture. The match will mark a significant moment for Garcia as she makes her debut as a referee in a men's World Cup match.
At just 33 years old, the Mexico City-born official already boasts considerable experience in both men’s and women’s football. Earlier in the tournament, Garcia served as the fourth official, gaining valuable match exposure at the global stage.
In 2024, Garcia made history by becoming the first female referee in two decades to officiate in Mexico’s top-flight men’s league. Later that same year, she was appointed to the officiating team at the Olympic Games held in Paris.
By taking charge of this fixture, Garcia becomes only the third woman in history to referee a men’s World Cup game, following in the footsteps of France’s Stephanie Frappart, who made her debut in 2022, and the United States’ Tori Penso, who officiated earlier in this tournament.
Garcia will be supported on the sidelines by assistant referees Sandra Ramirez from Mexico and Jose Enrique Naranjo Perez from Spain. The fourth official for the match will be Juan Gabriel Benitez of Paraguay, with Milciades Saldivar serving as the reserve assistant referee.
This all-Spanish-speaking officiating team will oversee proceedings as the Netherlands aim to secure a strong finish to the group stage, while Tunisia look to bow out of the competition on a positive note.
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