FIFA has selected American referee Ismail Elfath to officiate the 2026 World Cup semi final between England and Argentina. The match is set for Wednesday in Atlanta.
Elfath, a Moroccan born official who works in Major League Soccer, was the fourth official during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final win over France. Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in MLS, Elfath has handled four matches involving the team. Messi and Inter Miami won all four of those games, with Messi scoring goals in some of them. This record has led some observers to label Elfath as Messi’s preferred referee.
The appointment comes as Argentina, the defending champions, prepares to face England. The winners advance to the final. England last reached a World Cup final in 1966. Argentina has relied heavily on Messi’s leadership throughout the tournament.
Some fans and media outlets in England have expressed concerns about the choice. They point to Elfath’s past connections with Messi and Argentina as a possible sign of favoritism. Discussions on social media and in news reports highlight questions about whether the referee’s history could affect decisions in such a high stakes game. Argentina supporters and some analysts view the selection differently, noting Elfath’s experience and his knowledge of the players involved.
Elfath has already worked three matches at this World Cup. His assistants for the semi final are fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins. Italy’s Maurizio Mariani serves as the fourth official.
The match carries extra weight because of the teams histories and the tournament’s stage. England has shown strong form in recent games, while Argentina continues to build on its success from four years ago. Referee choices in major tournaments often draw attention, especially when past results link officials to one side. FIFA selects referees based on their overall performance and experience across international competitions.