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American-Moroccan referee Elfath will take charge of England vs Argentina, his fourth match at the 2026 World Cup.
Moroccan-American soccer player Ismail Elfath will lead the earthquake FIFA World Cup semifinal match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday.
It is the fourth game the 44-year-old has been in charge of the tournament, after all 2-2 draw between Japan and the Netherlands and Spain 1-0 win against Uruguay in the group, and the surprise of Norway 2-1 victory in the 16th round meeting with Brazil.
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Here’s everything you need to know about Elfath’s history and career as a referee:
To the United States, via Morocco
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Elfath immigrated to the United States in 2001 at the age of 17 after obtaining a visa under the US Diversity Visa Program – often referred to as the “diversity lottery”.
After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas, Elfath later became a citizen of the United States.
He lives in Austin, Texas.
From Major League Soccer to the World Cup
Elfath’s start as a referee was by accident, as he started as a football player, appearing as a striker for the sports team Austin Lightning in the USL League Two.
The referee’s poor decisions during the match led to him being whistled.
“I was a hot ball player,” Elfath said interview and the Austin Chronicle in 2022.
“I always complained to the person who ran the league, and one day he said, ‘Dad, you keep complaining, you should be a judge.'”
After attending the referee clinic, Elfath took on refereeing shifts in youth, high school and semi-pro leagues. All the while, he held a full-time job in IT sales.
Finally, Elfath made the jump to the US Major League Soccer (MLS) as a fourth baseman in 2011 before becoming a referee the following year.
In 2016, he was appointed as a FIFA referee.
That same year, the American was also part of history: Elfath was the referee in the USL match between New York Red Bulls II and Orlando City B, where the first Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review was carried out worldwide.
Over the past 14 years working in MLS, Elfath has twice been named Referee of the Year (2020, 2022).
The road from the Olympics and AFCON to the World Cup
After participating in several prestigious games, including the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, Elfath made his World Cup debut in Qatar 2022.
“I’m a triple minority. An immigrant, from Africa, Muslim. I’m the only representative in the US, so it’s a very humbling position, and it’s one of those places where you say, ‘Anything is possible,'” he said at the time, reflecting on the opportunity to travel the world.
One of North America’s greatest players, Elfath led two group games and a knockout match at the 2022 World Cup and was the fourth manager in Argentina’s final game against France on penalties.
In the final match of the World Cup, Elfath was impressed by his actions: after giving a second yellow card and ordering Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar to take off his shirt to celebrate the winner while Brazil stood, Elfath smiled and shook his hand.
The 2026 edition marks the second appearance of the Elfath World Cup, and is one of a eight records American football referees for the tournament.
In the three games he led, Elfath handed out seven yellow cards and one red – to Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio for a tackle on Pau Cubarsi.
In the semifinal between England and Argentina, Elfath will be supported by Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, while Italy’s Maurizio Mariani is the fourth, and his teammate Daniele Bindoni is the assistant representative.
