2026 World Cup: English press alarmed by Elfath's appointment for England-Argentina semi-final

FIFA has assigned American referee Ismail Elfath to the England-Argentina semi-final of the 2026 World Cup, and the choice is already proving controversial in England. The Daily Mail has published an analysis of his MLS record that fuels English suspicions ahead of a match with particularly charged historical context.

The British newspaper’s finding is straightforward: every time Elfath has officiated an Inter Miami match in Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi’s club has emerged victorious. The headline chosen by the Daily Mail leaves little room for ambiguity — “Lionel Messi gets his preferred referee for the England-Argentina semi-final” — and taps into a persistent rumor since the start of the tournament: that of referee favoritism orchestrated by FIFA to guarantee a successful run for the Albiceleste and its eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The English media also recalled that Elfath served as fourth official during the 2022 World Cup final, won on penalties by Argentina against France. A detail that, in this context, does not go unnoticed.

Since the start of this 2026 World Cup, Elfath has already refereed three matches, during which he has issued eight yellow cards and one red. This profile of a referee quick with the card adds another layer of concern on the English side: facing an Argentine team renowned for its physical commitment, every refereeing decision risks being scrutinized closely.

The match takes place in an already electric historical context between the two nations, notably marked by Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986. Every incident, every whistle, will be liable to reignite tensions that far exceed the sporting sphere. FIFA has so far not responded to questions raised by the British press about the criteria behind this appointment.