American Referee Ismail Elfath Appointed for England vs Argentina World Cup Semifinal
By SCN SPORTS DESK
FIFA has appointed Ismail Elfath, the Moroccan-born American referee, to officiate the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina, one of the tournament's biggest fixtures. The match will be played at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
Elfath, 44, will oversee his fourth match of the 2026 World Cup, continuing a steady rise that has established him among FIFA's most trusted officials. A FIFA-listed referee since 2016, he has previously officiated matches at the 2022 World Cup, the Olympic Games, the FIFA Club World Cup and numerous Major League Soccer finals.
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Elfath immigrated to the United States in 2001 after winning the Diversity Visa Lottery and later became a U.S. citizen. Before becoming a full-time referee, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas and worked in software sales.
His appointment comes amid heightened scrutiny over officiating following several controversial decisions involving Argentina during the tournament. Critics have questioned the expanded VAR protocol after contentious incidents in Argentina's knockout victories, prompting FIFA to emphasize the independence and neutrality of its match officials.
Despite fan debate, FIFA's selection reflects strong confidence in Elfath's ability to manage one of football's fiercest rivalries. His officiating team will include fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins as assistant referees.
The semifinal renews one of international football's most historic rivalries, with England seeking its first World Cup final since 1966 and defending champions Argentina aiming to reach another final under Lionel Messi.