Mexican referee equals one World Cup record and closes in on another
César Arturo Ramos made Mexican history on Monday - and is approaching an outright World Cup record.
Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos made history on Monday, equalling a national record when he took charge of the 2026 World Cup group-stage clash between Iran and New Zealand.
Ramos oversaw his eighth career game at the men’s World Cup, drawing level with Armando Archundia’s mark as Mexican refereeing’s top appearance maker at the FIFA international tournament.
Archundia served as the man in the middle for five matches at Germany 2006 and three more at South Africa 2010: five in the group stage, one in the last 16, one semifinal, and the third-place match in 2010.
Now, 16 years later, Ramos has matched Archundia’s total, having previously handled three matches at Russia 2018 and four more at Qatar 2022.
Ramos officiated four group-stage games, two last-16 clashes, and the 2022 semifinal between France and Morocco.
Ramos closes in on outright World Cup record
Having helmed Monday’s 2-2 draw in Los Angeles, Ramos now sits just three matches shy of the overall record for most World Cup matches officiated, a mark currently held by the Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov.
Irmatov took charge of 11 World Cup matches between South Africa 2010 and Russia 2018, including eight group-stage games, two quarterfinals, and the 2010 semifinal between Uruguay and the Netherlands.
Just behind the Uzbek official is Argentina’s Néstor Pitana, who worked nine World Cup matches: five in the group stage, one in the last 16, two in the quarterfinals, and the 2018 World Cup final in Russia.
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