Rosendo Mendoza becomes first Houstonian on FIFA international ref panel

Although Rosendo Mendoza was born in Mexico, he has spent most of his life in Houston. The Major League Soccer referee learned to speak in English at Humble Elementary School. He starred on the Humble High soccer team.

He eventually graduated from the University of Houston before returning to teach and coach soccer at Humble High. Mendoza, 33, is the embodiment of the American dream. The native of Michoacan, Mexico, was smuggled into the U.S. through the Rio Grande River from Nuevo Laredo by a coyote as a 7-year-old on Dec. 22, 2000.

He slowly capitalized on the opportunities provided in the United States, giving back along the way before becoming a beloved history teacher. Mendoza left his job as a history teacher at Humble High in May 2023 to become a full-time MLS referee and pursue his dream of becoming a FIFA referee.

U.S. Soccer announced that Mendoza has been named to the 2026 FIFA International Panel. He was nominated by the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Referee Committee. Mendoza is the first Houstonian named to represent the U.S. on the FIFA International Panel as a referee.

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He’s one of 16 referees representing the United States on the FIFA International Panel. Moreover, 20 assistant referees, 11 video match officials, four Futsal Referees and two Beach Soccer Referees represent the U.S. on the FIFA International Panel.

“I always thought of myself as an American,” Mendoza said. “To have my country love me back, at least in this sense, it brought a lot of emotion to feel for once I was loved as an American.”

Mendoza is considered one of the best referees in MLS. He was the center referee for the 2024 Eastern Conference Final. He was also the center ref for the MLS Western Conference semifinals.

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He has served as a fourth official for several international matches. Mendoza couldn’t serve as the center ref for FIFA international matches, though, because he wasn’t part of the FIFA International Panel.

“This record number of appointments is a direct reflection of the quality, professionalism, and consistency of U.S. Soccer referees across every discipline,” said Kari Seitz, the U.S. Soccer vice president of refereeing. “Our referees consistently deliver at the highest level, and that reputation allows the United States to continue expanding its presence on the global stage.  Great soccer depends on great referees, and this group exemplifies the very best of our program.”

‘Proud Houstonian’

A day after he’s scheduled to play in the Humble High boys soccer alumni game, which he still helps put together, Mendoza will be in Los Angeles to make his FIFA center referee debut. He’ll be the center ref for a friendly between Canada and Guatemala on Jan. 17 at BMO Stadium.

He’s not expected to referee any games during the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. An assignment to the 2030 World Cup is a more realistic goal for Mendoza, who was the youngest referee in MLS just three years ago.

Mendoza was informed of the news two weeks ago, almost 25 years after he first crossed the U.S. border from Mexico. He waited a few days to let the career accomplishment sink in before he told his family. 

Mendoza recently moved to Nashville. Nonetheless, he considers himself a Houstonian. He started his refereeing career at 16 years old working games at one of Houston’s many adult soccer leagues comprising predominantly Mexican teams. 

He developed refereeing games throughout Houston area soccer fields. Now, he’s the first Houstonian among 16 FIFA international refs. 

“I’m a proud Houstonian,” he said. “It’s been a long journey. Hopefully it will be even longer now.”