Who are the referees for the Clausura 2026 final between Cruz Azul and Pumas?
The match officials have been confirmed for the latest Liga MX final, which pits La Máquina against Los Universitarios.
The officiating crews have been announced for both legs of the Clausura 2026 final, which sees nine-time champions Cruz Azul take on seven-time Liga MX winners Pumas.
Who are the referees for the Liga MX final?
In a move that surprised many, the match referees selected for these games are the same officials who handled Pumas’ semifinal series against Pachuca. Mexico’s refereeing committee opted to repeat the exact same formula: Ismael Rosario López Peñuelas will take charge of the first leg, while Daniel Quintero Huitrón will oversee the return leg. The full officiating crews for these championship clashes are as follows:
First leg: Pumas vs Cruz Azul
Thursday, May 21 - Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes
- Referee: Ismael Rosario López Peñuelas
- Assistant referee 1: Enrique Isaac Bustos Díaz
- Assistant referee 2: Christian Kiabek Espinosa Zavala
- Fourth official: Yonatan Peinado Aguirre
- Fifth official: Edgar Magdaleno Castrejón
- VAR: Diana Stephanía Pérez Borja
- Assistant VAR: Salvador Pérez Villalobos
Second leg: Pumas vs Cruz Azul:
Sunday, May 24, Estadio Olímpico Universitario
- Referee: Daniel Quintero Huitrón
- Assistant referee 1: Michel Ricardo Espinoza Ávalos
- Assistant referee 2: Michel Alejandro Morales Morales
- Fourth official: Vicente Jassiel Reynoso Arce
- Fifth official: Karen Janett Díaz Medina
- VAR: Guillermo Pacheco Larios
- Assistant VAR: Michel Caballero Galicia
“Hopefully you get the call”
On Sunday, Quintero was the man in the middle for the match that sent Pumas through to the final at Pachuca’s expense. That game flowed well, with very few stoppages. Nathan Silva picked up an early yellow card in the 26th minute, but the rest of the bookings didn’t come until the second half (Kenedy at 62’, Duarte at 68’). Still, there was a moment of controversy after the final whistle.
After sealing their spot in the title series, Pumas head coach Efraín Juárez approached the referee to congratulate him, saying: “I hope you officiate the final, man. Great job. I mean it - hopefully you get the call.”
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