Faghani emerges as World Cup final favourite as FIFA confirm Elfath for England vs Argentina

Iranian referee Alireza Faghani has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge of the World Cup 2026 final after FIFA confirmed the officiating appointments for both semi-finals, with American Ismail Elfath assigned to England’s last-four clash against Argentina.

FIFA released its shortlist of referees still involved in the tournament as the competition enters its final stages in North America. Elfath, 44, will oversee the England vs Argentina semi-final in what will be his fourth fixture of the tournament, supported by assistant referees Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, with Italians Maurizio Mariani and Daniele Bindoni completing the officiating team.

Elfath has refereed three matches at the tournament so far — Japan vs the Netherlands, Uruguay’s defeat to Spain, and Brazil vs Norway. In the Brazil-Norway round-of-16 tie, he awarded two penalties to the Selecao; Bruno Guimaraes missed the first, but Neymar converted the second late in the game. He also showed a red card to Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio deep into injury time, a decision that countered any suggestion of bias toward South American sides.

The American official has no prior experience refereeing an England match, though he has overseen one Argentina fixture — a goalless draw with Colombia in 2018.

In Tuesday’s other semi-final between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton will take charge, having already overseen three matches at the tournament.

With Barton and Elfath both committed to the semi-finals, Faghani’s path to the final has become clearer. FIFA’s policy of maintaining confederational neutrality in officiating appointments means that, should England face a UEFA nation in the final — which is guaranteed given France and Spain contest the other semi — the governing body would look outside UEFA for the final referee. That points squarely toward Faghani, who represents the AFC.

The Iranian official drew widespread praise from supporters for his performance during England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, with many calling for him to be handed the showpiece final.

The full list of referees remaining in the tournament: Alireza Faghani, Adham Makhadmeh and Jalal Jayed (AFC); Ivan Barton and Ismail Elfath (CONCACAF); Jesus Valenzuela and Wilton Sampaio (CONMEBOL); Espen Eskas, Szymon Marciniak, Maurizio Mariani, Glenn Nyberg, Joao Pinheiro and Slavko Vincic (UEFA).