During the night of last Monday, July 13, the International Association Football Federation (FIFA) revealed the names of the five referees in charge of directing the match between Argentina and Englandcorresponding to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cupwhich will take place next Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta.
The main shortlist of the commitment at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be United States: Ismail Elfath will be the main referee; Corey Parkerthe first assistant, and Kyle Atkinsthe second. The other two referees will be italians: Maurizio Mairani will serve as the fourth referee and Daniele Bindoni as the reserve assistant referee for the match.
However, although Ismail Elfath is part of a confederation alien to Argentina and England, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Confederation (Concacaf), various Internet users expressed their discomfort on social networks, since he referees in Major League Soccer (MLS) from the United States.
The American soccer referee, 44 years and born in the city of Casablanca, Moroccois an international referee since December 2016 and coaches in the Canadian and United States soccer league, where he plays Leo Messi. For this reason, many users consider that the captain of the Albiceleste could benefit in the game.
Who is Ismail Elfath?
Ismail Elfath is an American professional soccer referee who, according to the Spanish sports newspaper Brandemigrated to the United States in November 2001at 18 years old, through a visa lottery of diversity in Casablanca, Morocco. He later became a naturalized US citizen and currently resides in Austin, Texas.
Graduated as a mechanical engineer from the University of Austin, Texas, in October 2006Ismail Elfath became an MLS referee in September 2012. Subsequently, in 2020 and 2022 he was awarded as Referee of the Yearrecognition granted by his colleagues, when he was in his eighth and tenth seasons as a referee.
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Before officiating three matches in the 2022 World Cup and serving as fourth referee in the end in which Argentina was crowned champion against France, Elfath refereed Concacaf U-17 and U-20 championships, U-20 World Cups, Gold Cupsthe League of Nations, the Olympics of the 2020 and in the World Cup qualifiers.
After refereeing in the Club World Cup 2025, Elfath became one of the referees with the most participation in the 2026 World Cup, in which he officiated two matches of the group stage —Japan-Netherlands and Spain-Uruguay—, one of round of 16 —Brazil-Norway—and now the semifinal between Argentina and England.
Undefeated record refereeing Lionel Messi
Ismail’s appointment provoked strong reactions in the british presswho described his appointment with suspicion because the American has led multiple parties in the Inter Miami in the MLS and maintains a track record unbeaten by refereeing matches for Messi, who maintains a record of victories with Elfath as referee.
Lionel Messi accumulates a strong history of 5-0 with Ismail Elfath as referee, since this undefeated streak of the Argentine star includes matches with Inter Miami, such as the final of the Leagues Cup 2023, regular season matches of the Major League Soccer and the 2022 World Cup final against France, in Lusail, Qatar. h
The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup match 102 have been appointed. 🤝
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 13, 2026