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Referee requires magnesium shot due to cramp in Seattle heat

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 19, 2026, 9:56 PM

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

Referee requires magnesium shot due to cramp in Seattle heat
Summary

During his World Cup debut in Seattle on June 19, German referee Felix Zwayer experienced cramping and required a magnesium shot to continue officiating the match in which the US leads Australia 2-0. Concerns about player health due to the heat have been widespread, but the challenges faced by referees have received less attention. Fourth official Katia Garcia assisted Zwayer late in the match. Zwayer, the only German referee at the tournament, received praise for his performance from German TV pundit Patrick Ittrich, who expressed hope for Zwayer's fitness for upcoming matches.

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By the Numbers
  • •Felix Zwayer suffers cramp and needs magnesium shot
  • •US leads Australia 2-0 in the ongoing World Cup match
  • •High temperatures have forced concerns about health for players and officials
  • •Katia Garcia provided assistance to Zwayer during the match
  • •Zwayer receives positive feedback on his officiating performance
Latest Updates
  • 9:56 PMYahoo Sports — German referee needs magnesium shot to help cramp in Seattle heat
What they're saying
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German referee Felix Zwayer went down with cramp on his World Cup debut on Friday and needed a shot of magnesium to finish the US's 2-0 win over Australia. The heat in North America has led to widespread fears about player health but the impact on referees - who generally run as much anyone in a match - is less discussed.

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