As Argentina are set to play England in the World Cup 2026 semifinal, the referee appointment from FIFA has raised many eyebrows.

Argentina have rode their lucks in this World Cup. From contentious refereeing decisions going in their favour to their opponents raising serious allegations, Lionel Messi and his team have been under the scrutiny of the footballing world. And now, the latest appointment in their match has further amplified these questions.

Who is the Referee for England vs Argentina Match?

Ismail Elfath (United States), assisted by compatriots Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins as assistant referees.

Why the question marks over him?

Elfath, a 44-year-old Moroccan-born US referee (FIFA-listed since 2016), has drawn scrutiny for several reasons ahead of this high-stakes game.

Controversial performances earlier in the 2026 tournament: He officiated three matches – Netherlands 2-2 Japan, Spain 1-0 Uruguay (group stage), and Norway 2-1 Brazil (round of 16).

Critics, especially in Spain, accused him of excessive leniency toward rough play by Uruguay (e.g., only a yellow for a heavy challenge by Rodrigo Bentancur on Iñaki Williams that caused injury, contrasted with a straight red to Agustín Canobbio).

In the Brazil game, he initially missed a clear penalty (requiring VAR intervention) and awarded another disputed one.

Perceived connection to Messi/Argentina: He was the fourth official for Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final win over France. He has also refereed Messi multiple times for Inter Miami, including a Leagues Cup final).

Some English fans and media have labeled him Messi’s “favorite referee” due to Argentina’s strong record in his games, though this is largely anecdotal/statistical rather than evidence of bias.

General concerns about experience and style: Former referees (e.g., Mark Halsey) have called him relatively inexperienced for a semifinal of this magnitude and noted a lenient approach. This is amplified by broader tournament debates over refereeing in Argentina’s games.

These factors have fueled pre-match debate and conspiracy chatter online, though FIFA appointments aim for neutrality. Elfath’s record includes solid big games, but the spotlight on this rivalry makes every past decision a talking point.