England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina already carried the weight of history, rivalry and superstar pressure. Now, before a ball has even been kicked in Atlanta, the appointment of American referee Ismail Elfath has added another layer of tension to one of the most closely watched matches of the tournament.
Ismail Elfath (second from right) will referee England’s World Cup semi-final clash with Argentina on Wednesday. Pictured with Messi when he officiated the 2022 World Cup final
The 44-year-old has refereed Lionel Messi four times at club level – all four resulting in wins – heightening fears for England ahead of the semi-final
FIFA has confirmed that Elfath will take charge of Wednesday night’s semi-final between England and the defending champions. The decision immediately drew attention because of his previous links to Lionel Messi, including matches involving Inter Miami and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final, where Elfath served as fourth official. For some observers, the appointment has fed an already noisy debate around Argentina’s route through the knockout stages.
Argentina have reached the last four after dramatic and controversial victories over Egypt and Switzerland. Their comeback win over Egypt in the last 16 sparked furious complaints from the Egyptian camp, who felt key decisions had gone against them. In the quarter-final, Switzerland were left angry after Breel Embolo was sent off following a VAR review under a new mistaken-identity rule, with Manuel Akanji later claiming the match felt one-sided.
Elfath was the fourth official during the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France
Messi approaches ref Joao Pinheiro in Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final win vs Switzerland
Switzerland’s players protest after Breel Embolo was shown a red card late in the game
Those complaints have helped fuel online theories that Argentina are receiving favourable treatment because this could be Messi’s final World Cup. FIFA has strongly denied any suggestion of bias or interference, and its refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has insisted that match officials work independently and make honest decisions. He also warned that unfounded claims can lead to threats against officials and their families.
Even so, Elfath’s record with Messi has become a talking point. Since Messi moved to Inter Miami, Elfath has refereed four of his club matches, all of which ended in victory for Messi’s side. That included the Leagues Cup final against Nashville, when Messi scored in normal time and again in the penalty shootout as Miami lifted the trophy. The record itself does not prove favouritism, but in the atmosphere surrounding this semi-final, it has been enough to set social media alight.
England will also be aware that Elfath is not shy with his cards. Before Major League Soccer paused for the World Cup, he had shown 41 yellow cards, three red cards and awarded three penalties in 10 league matches. At this tournament, he has already issued eight yellow cards and one red card across three games, including Netherlands against Japan, Spain against Uruguay and Norway against Brazil.
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina has defended the under-fire World Cup officials
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan furiously accused FIFA of rigging the World Cup after his side were knocked out by Argentina in the last 16
Egypt goalkeeper coach Saafan El-Sagheer was sent off after the bench reacted furiously to Enzo Fernandez’s winning goal for Argentina, as they fumed at multiple decisions against them
His handling of Spain’s narrow win over Uruguay also attracted criticism from Spanish media, who felt he was not firm enough in a fiery contest. Uruguay midfielder Agustin Canobbio was eventually sent off deep into stoppage time, while Spain were unhappy about a challenge on Nico Williams that left the winger injured. In Norway’s win over Brazil, Elfath initially waved away Brazilian penalty appeals before VAR sent him to the monitor and he changed his decision.
That history means Wednesday’s match is likely to be watched through an unforgiving lens. Every whistle, every VAR check and every major disciplinary call will be examined in detail, particularly because Argentina’s recent matches have already been surrounded by allegations, anger and counter-arguments.
For England, the focus remains on trying to reach a first World Cup final since 1966. Thomas Tuchel’s team arrive in Atlanta after surviving their own controversial quarter-final against Norway, with Jude Bellingham again emerging as the decisive figure. England know that against Messi, Enzo Fernandez and the reigning world champions, discipline could be just as important as attacking quality.
For Argentina, the narrative is different but equally intense. Messi is chasing one more defining chapter in a career already packed with football history. His team have not always been convincing, but they have survived, fought back and found a way through difficult moments. That resilience has kept their dream alive, but it has also made every refereeing decision around them a source of suspicion for critics.
The reality is that a semi-final of this size was always going to bring pressure. Add Messi’s legacy, England’s long wait for another final, Argentina’s controversial knockout wins and a referee whose past with Messi is being heavily scrutinised, and the stage is set for an explosive night. FIFA will hope the football decides the story. The rest of the world will be watching to see whether the referee becomes part of it.
