FIFA has named American referee Ismail Elfath as the match official for the much-awaited 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final clash between England and Argentina.
The football governing body confirmed the appointment in a statement shared on its official X account on Tuesday, revealing that Elfath will oversee Match 102. The encounter is set to take place on July 15 at Atlanta Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT.
FIFA announced that Ismail Elfath will have the support of compatriots Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins as assistant referees for the match, while Italy’s Maurizio Mariani has been appointed as the fourth official.
The football body also confirmed that fellow Italian Daniele Bindoni will take on the role of reserve assistant referee for the encounter.
The appointment puts the highly experienced Ismail Elfath in charge of one of the most significant matches of the tournament, as Lionel Messi’s Argentina aims to retain the World Cup crown they secured in Qatar in 2022.
The semi-final showdown brings together two of football’s most historic nations, with Argentina hoping to qualify for a second straight World Cup final, while England are seeking their first appearance in the final since 1966, when they won the trophy on home ground.
Argentina reached the World Cup semi-finals after overcoming three challenging knockout-stage opponents. The reigning champions secured a 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the Round of 32, followed by another narrow 3-2 victory against Egypt in the Round of 16, before defeating Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
England also endured a demanding journey to the final four. The Three Lions opened their knockout campaign with a 2-1 triumph over DR Congo, progressed with a 3-2 victory against Mexico in the Round of 16, and then overcame Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals to earn a semi-final meeting with Argentina.
The highly anticipated fixture is set to revive one of international football’s most famous rivalries, marked by memorable encounters such as the controversial 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico. In that match, Diego Maradona scored the iconic “Hand of God” goal before producing the legendary “Goal of the Century” as Argentina defeated England 2-1.
Elfath, regarded as one of Major League Soccer’s top officials and a member of FIFA’s elite refereeing panel, has previously taken charge of matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as well as other major international tournaments.
The team that emerges victorious from Wednesday’s semi-final will secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, while the defeated side will move on to the third-place playoff.
The highly anticipated fixture is set to revive one of international football’s most famous rivalries, marked by memorable encounters such as the controversial 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico. In that match, Diego Maradona scored the iconic “Hand of God” goal before producing the legendary “Goal of the Century” as Argentina defeated England 2-1.
Elfath, regarded as one of Major League Soccer’s top officials and a member of FIFA’s elite refereeing panel, has previously taken charge of matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as well as other major international tournaments.
The team that emerges victorious from Wednesday’s semi-final will secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, while the defeated side will move on to the third-place playoff.
