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NEW YORK - Carlos Batres, an international referee since 1996 who has worked games in two World Cups, retired from the game Thursday, ending his career a day after blowing the final whistle in the North American SuperLiga final.

The 42-year-old Guatemalan, who was the referee for three matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - including the Paraguay-Spain quarterfinal, has been appointed by CONCACAF President Jack Warner to the confederation's referees committee to fill out the term of Carlos Ortiz, who died in January.

Besides the 2002 and 2010 World Cup, Batres' career has included matches in World Cup qualifying, the Confederations Cup, Olympics, Pan American Games, Under-17 World Cup, the Club World Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and its predecessor the Champions Cup.

He has refereed numerous finals, including the Club World Cup (2006), Gold Cup (2002, 2005, 2007) CONCACAF club championship (1998, 2008), the Pan American Games (1999 women), several Central American nations and club championships and the InterAmerican Cup (1998).

Wednesday night's SuperLiga championship between the New England Revolution and Morelia was his second title match in that tournament.

"He is definitely one of our most accomplished and decorated referees," CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. "We look forward to him becoming integrally involved in our referee development programs."