FIFA has selected Ismail Elfath, an American referee, to handle the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.
Elfath will officiate Match 102, which is slated for July 15 at Atlanta Stadium and kicks off at 3:00 p.m. EDT, according to a post on the governing body’s official X account on Tuesday.
FIFA announced that Elfath will be aided by fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, with Italian referee Maurizio Mariani appointed fourth official.
The governing body also announced that another Italian, Daniele Bindoni, will act as the reserve assistant referee.
The appointment places Elfath in charge of one of the tournament’s biggest fixtures as Lionel Messi-led Argentina seeks to defend the World Cup title they won in Qatar in 2022.
The semi-final sets two of football’s traditional powerhouses against each other, with Argentina seeking a second straight World Cup final and England attempting to reach their first final since 1966, when they took the trophy on home soil.
Argentina reached the semi-finals after defeating three knockout-stage opponents. The South American champions defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32, Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16, and Switzerland 3-1 in the quarterfinals.
England also had a tough journey to the last four. The Three Lions opened their knockout campaign with a 2-1 win against DR Congo, then defeated Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16. They then defeated Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals, setting up a semi-final matchup with Argentina.
The match will renew one of international football’s most storied rivalries, which includes the controversial 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico, where Diego Maradona scored the famous “Hand of God” goal before netting the “Goal of the Century” in a 2-1 victory over England.
Elfath, one of the most respected referees in Major League Soccer and on FIFA’s elite list, has previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and several major international competitions.
The winner of Wednesday’s encounter will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, while the loser will contest the third-place playoff.
