By Edgardo Avelar
Marco Antonio “Gato” Ortiz, one of the most controversial referees in the MX Leaguereacted with irony to his absence from the list of the 52 World Cup referees in the 2026 edition after his non-appointment by the Referees Commission It generated controversy and ended up going viral.
In the midst of comments and questions why the whistler Katia Itzel García was chosen when her numbers and performance were inferior to those of “Gato” Ortizthe affected person assured in comments published on his official Instagram social network account that: “Perhaps I have not reached the goal when I thought I had already done so and one should not always look forward, but rather backward and feel proud of what one has done.”
Hours after the list of 52 central whistlers was released who will perform in the United States, Mexico and Canada 2026 edition, Ortiz made a publication in a relaxed and philosophical tone, but without leaving aside the irony as a form of reaction to this decision that was obviously not considered fair, nor attached to the reality of the performance he performed on the field of play.
The publication of Gato Ortiz
While on social networks, Arbitration analysts such as Fernando “Cantante” Guerrero and Francisco Chacón showed their disagreement with the appointment of Katia Itzel García and the indifference of Gato Ortiz’s work that generated the reactions of the commentator David Faitelson and the analyst and former World Cup referee Arturo Brizio, using gender qualifiers, the whistler in question published the following message on social networks.
It’s not about gender David, it’s an issue of ability. With those numbers of games in your league and in Concacaf, no referee would be in a World Cup. Let’s see things as they are, stop making cheap controversy. https://t.co/VyIpjnSwN3
— El Cantante Guerrero (@cantantearbitro) April 10, 2026
“We work hard to get where we are, only to feel like we’re not there yet. Sometimes the goal slips away just when you think you’ve reached it. You’ve already achieved the goals that one day you said would make you happy. Because in this world that never stops, it always seems like something else is missing: another achievement, another goal, another version of you.”
“But if you never allow yourself to feel like you’re done, when are you going to enjoy the journey? You’ve come a long way. You’ve overcome more than you remember. Today, pause. Look back with pride, not just forward with demand. Because success is not in the goal, but in the person you become as you pursue it.”.
My dear, David, let’s not mix the issue of Gender into the equation, it is simply about capacity and Katia Itzel does not have it, it is the first time in history that a referee goes to a World Cup with less than 40 games in the First Division, in the league you want, and from the country you tell me,…
— Francisco Chacón (@pacochaconmx) April 9, 2026
The reality is that No one was happy with the absence of Marco Antonio “Gato” Ortiz and the appointment of Katia Itzel Ortizsimply because his numbers and performance were far from surpassing the ignored whistler and who will also be his partner in the World Cup tournament César Ramos.
Marco Ortiz already knew for months that he was out of @fifaworldcup_es. He also knows that it is not because of his lack of ability, his numbers are very good as a whistler both in Mexico and Concacaf, he makes mistakes and is right like every referee, he referees the bravest and most… pic.twitter.com/Aa1NgUbEYd
— El Cantante Guerrero (@cantantearbitro) April 9, 2026
Unofficial versions with the condition of anonymity compiled by La Opinión state that in the Referees Commission of the Mexican Football Federation, the decision to choose Katia Itzel García was to avoid giving the image at an international level that Aztec football is not at the forefront of gender equality.
That is why the arguments of greater performance and experience of Marco Antonio Ortiz were of no use, when the designation was made several months ago and the future of the “Cat” was sealed at the preference of the whistler, hoping for a long time that he would not commit some serious error that would reverse the election of the Mexican authorities.
So this publishing house was assured that the choice of Katia Itzel García was pure appearance.
Continue reading:
-The 52 referees chosen by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup are ready
– Katia Itzel García would have surpassed “Gato” Ortiz and would go to the World Cup together with César Ramos
– “Cat” Ortiz sends a controversial message when renewing his FIFA 2026 badge
