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These World Cup referees have ties to Texas

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These World Cup referees have ties to Texas


Texas has quietly become a pipeline for some of the world’s top soccer referees, a connection that will come into sharper focus as the FIFA World Cup returns to the United States in 2026, with Dallas and Houston set to host multiple matches.

From Austin to Brownsville, officials with ties to the Lone Star State have risen through the ranks of Major League Soccer and onto the sport’s biggest stages, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

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What we know:

Ismail Elfath is a Moroccan-born referee who immigrated to the United States as a teenager. Now based in Austin, Elfath has been an MLS referee since 2012 and joined FIFA’s international list in 2016. The University of Texas graduate had an an unconventional path to officiating.

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – FEBRUARY 21: Referee Ismail Elfath during the first half of a MLS game between St. Louis City SC and Charlotte FC at Energizer Park on February 21, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Gett

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In an interview with Pflugerville Football Club (PFC), Elfath said he became a referee when a complaint to a match official turned into an invitation to try the role himself.

Elfath has since built a résumé that includes officiating at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he refereed two group-stage matches and a Round of 16 game, and served as a fourth official for the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France. 

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He also has twice been named MLS Referee of the Year.

Referee Ismail Elfath gestures during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 final match between Toluca and Tigres UANL at Nemesio Diez Stadium on May 30, 2026 in Toluca, Mexico.

Referee Ismail Elfath gestures during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 final match between Toluca and Tigres UANL at Nemesio Diez Stadium on May 30, 2026 in Toluca, Mexico. (Manuel Velasquez / Getty Images)

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Dig deeper:

Armando Villarreal’s journey began in South Texas, where he started officiating youth games in Brownsville at age 18. He worked his way through the U.S. Soccer system and made his MLS debut in 2012, later earning a spot on FIFA’s international referees list in 2015.

KANSAS CITY, KS – APRIL 7: Referee Armando Villarreal gives a signal during a game between Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on April 7, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

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Villarreal has officiated multiple high-profile matches, including MLS Cup finals and CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments, and was selected as a video assistant referee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

Like players, referees are evaluated on performance, with each assignment carrying weight in determining future opportunities.

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Local perspective:

In addition, American assistant referee Brooke Mayo represents a newer generation of officials reaching the global stage. Mayo grew up in Garland, Texas and began refereeing soccer at age 13. 

ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Referee Brooke Mayo before a game between Brazil and Japan at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

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She was selected to officiate the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England. Mayo received the assignment after a culmination of years of work climbing through domestic and international ranks.

Mayo’s presence alongside officials like Elfath and Villarreal underscores the growing Texas footprint in FIFA officiating.

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Big picture view:

That presence comes as North Texas prepares to host one of the largest shares of matches in the expanded 2026 World Cup. The convergence of elite officiating talent and two major host cities highlight Texas’ increasing influence in the global game, not just through players and fans.

The Source: Information in this story came from FIFA and FOX Local research.

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Austin, TX

Dinosaur Day Returns to Austin with Fossil Identifications, T. rex and Family Fun

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Dinosaur Day Returns to Austin with Fossil Identifications, T. rex and Family Fun


Dinosaur lovers of all ages can travel back millions of years during Dinosaur Day at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum on Saturday, July 11.

The family-friendly event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a full day of hands-on activities, opportunities to meet paleontologists and plenty of prehistoric discoveries.

One of the day’s biggest attractions gives visitors the chance to **bring their own fossils** for in-person identification by a paleontologist. Fossil identification sessions will be available from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Guests can also:

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Meet paleontologists who study dinosaurs

Participate in family-friendly educational and art activities

Complete a dinosaur-themed scavenger hunt

Attend a special story time for younger visitors

Pick up a free dinosaur poster while supplies last

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Explore “Epic Encounters,” the museum’s newly reimagined paleontology gallery

Visit the hands-on Discovery Center

See a 33-foot cast replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton along with a variety of fossil specimens

Save 20% on select dinosaur-themed merchandise in the Museum Store

All Dinosaur Day activities are included with regular museum admission.

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The Texas Science & Natural History Museum, located on the University of Texas campus, tells the story of Texas’ natural history—from the formation of the planet and the age of dinosaurs to the state’s modern-day ecosystems.

For more information and ticket details, visit the museum’s event page: https://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/



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Two found dead as deputies investigate double homicide at Travis County gentlemen’s club

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Two found dead as deputies investigate double homicide at Travis County gentlemen’s club


A fight in a crowded parking lot outside a Travis County gentlemen’s club early Sunday escalated into a shooting that left a man and a woman dead, authorities said.

Double homicide

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What we know:

Deputies responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired just before 4 a.m. in the 9700 block of Reservoir Court, the site of the Bare Cabaret, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

An estimated 400 people were inside the establishment and packed into the parking lot when the gunfire erupted, creating a chaotic scene for arriving emergency personnel.

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A man in his 20s died at the scene, officials said. A female victim, believed to be in her late teens or early 20s, was taken to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The identities of the victims have not been released.

It took deputies and detectives several hours to secure and clear the area as investigators interviewed every person present to determine their involvement before allowing them to leave.

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Detectives are reviewing video surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses and family members to piece together what triggered the altercation. No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The Source: Information in this article is from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

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Austin, TX

2 overnight shootings in Austin leave 3 dead on Fourth of July weekend

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2 overnight shootings in Austin leave 3 dead on Fourth of July weekend


Three people are dead after two separate overnight shootings in Austin.

The first happened before midnight on the Fourth of July. The Austin Police Department responded to a call for service around 11:48 p.m. at the parking lot outside of Michelobos Sports Bar in North Austin, said APD officer Austin Zarling at an early Sunday morning press briefing.

Officers found two male victims with trauma and rendered aid until Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department arrived. The victims were taken to a local hospital, where one was pronounced dead around 12:29 a.m. The other victim is in stable condition, Zarling said.

A third person has been detained as part of the investigation.

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APD is asking for people with information on the shooting to call the homicide tip line at 512-477-3588 or Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.

The incident was followed by another shooting in the parking lot of Bare Cabaret, an adult nightclub in Northeast Austin. Just before 4 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired, said Kristen Dark, public information officer for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, at a Sunday press briefing.

Multiple shots were fired during an “altercation” in the parking lot, Dark said. There were nearly 400 people at the scene, prompting a large law enforcement response.

A man in his 20s died at the scene, and a woman whose age is unknown but “likely late teens, early 20s” died at a local hospital, Dark said.

One person was detained and has since been released. The sheriff’s office has not made any arrests, Dark said in a phone call around 11 a.m. Sunday.

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It took several hours for deputies to interview people at the scene. The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate.

This is a developing story.





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