FIFA has confirmed that American referee Ismail Elfath will take charge of the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, a decision that has drawn attention because Elfath is widely regarded as Lionel Messi’s favourite referee. The appointment comes amid a swirl of conspiracy theories on social media suggesting the tournament is being manipulated to favour the Argentine captain, though no evidence supports such claims.
Elfath, 42, has officiated several matches involving Messi in recent years, including games during Inter Miami’s run in Major League Soccer. The Argentine star has publicly praised Elfath’s style of refereeing, describing him as a referee who «lets the game flow» and does not interfere unnecessarily. This history has led some fans and pundits to question whether the appointment gives Argentina an unfair advantage in such a high-stakes fixture.
England, meanwhile, will be looking to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, and the Three Lions have a mixed record under Elfath. The American official has refereed England once before, a friendly match against the United States in 2018, which ended in a 1-1 draw. That result offers little comfort to England supporters, who are already wary of Argentina’s formidable form in the tournament.
Argentina have requested permission to wear their blue away kit for the semi-final, a strip in which they boast an impeccable record. The Albiceleste have never lost a World Cup match while wearing blue, a statistic that has been widely circulated by Argentine media and fans as a good omen. FIFA has yet to rule on the request, but it adds another layer of intrigue to the build-up.
The semi-final renews one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with England and Argentina having faced each other in several memorable and often controversial matches. The most famous encounter came in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, when Diego Maradona scored the «Hand of God» goal and a stunning solo effort to eliminate England. More recently, the sides met in the 1998 World Cup second round, where Argentina won on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw, and in the 2002 group stage, when a 1-0 victory for England was overshadowed by David Beckham’s red card in a previous match against Argentina.
Off the pitch, the match has already prompted logistical changes. Several bars in Manchester have announced major rule changes for the semi-final, including earlier opening hours and restrictions on bookings, to accommodate the expected surge in demand from fans. The game is scheduled for Wednesday evening UK time, and venues across the country are preparing for a busy night.
Experts remain divided on the outcome. While Argentina are considered favourites due to Messi’s brilliance and their strong tournament form, England have shown resilience and tactical discipline under manager Gareth Southgate. The Three Lions have not conceded a goal in open play during the tournament, and their defence will be tested by an Argentine attack that has scored in every match so far.
The appointment of Elfath has also reignited debate about FIFA’s referee selection process. Critics argue that assigning an official with a known preference for a particular player undermines the perception of impartiality. FIFA, however, maintains that Elfath was chosen based on his performance and experience, and that all referees are trained to be neutral regardless of their past interactions with players or teams.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, both teams are finalising their preparations. England trained at their base in Al Wakrah on Tuesday, while Argentina held a closed session at the University of Qatar. The winner will face either France or Morocco in the final, scheduled for Sunday.
