FIFA Appoints Ismail Elfath to Referee England-Argentina World Cup Semifinal

FIFA has confirmed Moroccan-American official Ismail Elfath will referee the 2026 World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium this Wednesday. The 44-year-old official, a two-time Major League Soccer Referee of the Year, is set to oversee his fourth match of the current tournament.

Elfath's Journey from Morocco to International Officiating

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Elfath immigrated to the United States in 2001 and transitioned from amateur football to an officiating career. He earned his FIFA-listed referee designation in 2016. This progression led him to officiate at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His appointment for the critical England-Argentina fixture follows a tournament performance where he has issued seven yellow cards and one red card across three matches.

U.S. Officials Represented on the Global Stage

Elfath will be supported by American assistant referees

Elfath will be supported by American assistant referees Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins. Italy’s Maurizio Mariani will serve as the fourth official for the semifinal match. This assignment represents a significant career milestone for Elfath, highlighting his continued role as a prominent representative for U.S. officiating in international football.

This selection underscores the growing recognition of American refereeing talent on the world stage, with Elfath leading a contingent of officials in this prestigious global tournament.