By Juan Samuel Santana Chávez

Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos wrote a new chapter in the history of national football during the FIFA World Cup 2026, becoming the Mexican official with the most matches refereed in the top international tournament. The Sinaloan reached nine World Cup matches officiated, surpassing the mark of eight previously held by Benito Armando Archundia, who was considered the benchmark for Mexican refereeing on the world stage for years.

Ramos, who debuted in a World Cup in Russia 2018 and had a notable performance in Qatar 2022, solidified his career in the 2026 edition with two assignments as the head referee. Throughout his three World Cup participations, he has officiated group stage matches, round of 16 games, and even a semifinal, confirming himself as one of the most trusted officials for the FIFA Referees Committee.

With this record, César Ramos reaffirms his place as the most successful Mexican referee in World Cup history and strengthens the prestige of national refereeing internationally. Although he was not considered for the semifinals or the final of the 2026 World Cup, his legacy is marked by a historic figure that will be difficult to match in the short term and reflects over a decade of consistency at the elite level of world refereeing.