Shearer raises VAR and referee fears ahead of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina

Alan Shearer has warned that referee Ismail Elfath and VAR could prove decisive factors when England face Argentina in their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, with the former striker fearing the officiating climate has shifted in a way that may disadvantage Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Elfath, a Moroccan-born American official, has been appointed to take charge of the last-four clash between the two nations. England are chasing a place in the final — to be held in New York on 19 July — which would make them only the second England side to reach a World Cup showpiece. Argentina, the defending champions, are bidding to retain the trophy under Lionel Messi.

“I’m slightly concerned that a refereeing decision or VAR could cost us against Argentina because I think the narrative from the referees and the VAR from the start of the tournament to now has changed massively,” Shearer said. “I did that France game when Mbappé was fouled and the ref went to the screen, was told to go to the screen and he stuck with his decision when I thought it was a clear penalty. And that has totally changed over the last 10 days, two weeks, the longer the tournament’s gone on.”

Shearer also pointed to a specific incident involving Argentina’s opponents earlier in the competition. “I have been amazed at some of the decisions that Argentina have had, particularly that one against Egypt where their Egyptian goal was pulled back and cancelled out. I thought that was nonsense. It is a bit of a concern when playing them.”

Elfath arrives at the semi-final having taken charge of four matches at this tournament — Holland vs Japan, Spain’s group-stage win over Uruguay, and Brazil’s quarter-final exit to Norway — issuing seven yellow cards, one red card and two penalties across those games. Notably, Messi has won every match in which Elfath has officiated, including the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where the American served as fourth official.

It will be Elfath’s first time overseeing an England fixture at international level, and the first meeting between England and Argentina at a World Cup since England’s 1-0 victory in 2002. The fixture carries significant historical weight: Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God settled their 1986 quarter-final, while David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone in 1998.

England’s path to the final will also depend on the outcome of the other semi-final, with France and Spain competing for the second spot in the New York showpiece.