England and Argentina are set to meet in the 2026 World Cup semifinal on July 15 in Atlanta. And just hours before kickoff, FIFA confirmed who will be wearing the whistle. That news might make England fans nervous.
MLS referee Ismail Elfath will be the man in charge. The 44-year-old American official has already worked a few games this tournament — Japan versus the Netherlands, Uruguay against Spain, and the Norway-Brazil round of 16 match. He’s been strict so far, handing out six yellow cards and a straight red to Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio for a high challenge on Pau Cubarsi.
Here’s where it gets interesting for Messi
Elfath has a history with Lionel Messi. Not just any history. A perfect one. Under Elfath’s officiating, Messi has never lost. That’s a 100 percent win record.
Elfath was the fourth official when Argentina beat France in the 2022 World Cup final. He also reffed the game where Messi won his first trophy with Inter Miami. So yeah, the guy has been around for some of Messi’s biggest moments. Argentina fans are probably feeling pretty good about that.
But Elfath isn’t biased. He’s just a guy who happened to be assigned to games Messi’s teams won. Still, in a World Cup semifinal where margins are razor-thin, having a referee with that kind of track record is the kind of stat sports fans love to obsess over.
Why Elfath was picked
FIFA rules say referees can’t officiate matches involving their own country. On top of that, English and Argentine officials are barred from games between these two nations because of political tensions dating back to the Falklands conflict in 1982. So FIFA went with an American. Makes sense.
Italian Maurizio Mariani will serve as the fourth official. Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins are the assistant referees.
England and Argentina have one of soccer’s real rivalries. It goes back decades and includes the Diego Maradona “Hand of God” goal in 1986, plus that famous Michael Owen run in 1998. This semifinal adds another chapter. And whoever comes out of it plays the winner of Spain vs. France.
Elfath won’t decide the game by himself. But if Messi’s luck holds, England might be up against more than just Argentina’s attack.
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