FIFA has appointed American referee Ismail Elfath to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina on July 15 at Atlanta Stadium.
The announcement was made on FIFA’s official X account on Tuesday. The highly anticipated Match 102 is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 p.m. EDT, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
Elfath will be assisted by fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins. Italy’s Maurizio Mariani will serve as fourth official, while Daniele Bindoni has been named reserve assistant referee.
The experienced referee previously handled matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has officiated several top-level Major League Soccer and international fixtures.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are aiming to defend the World Cup title they won in Qatar in 2022. A victory over England would secure a second consecutive appearance in the final.
England, meanwhile, are chasing their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966, hoping to end a 60-year wait for another title shot.
Argentina reached the last four after defeating Cape Verde 3-2, Egypt 3-2 and Switzerland 3-1 in the knockout rounds.
England booked their semi-final spot with victories over DR Congo (2-1), Mexico (3-2) and Norway (2-1).
The match also renews one of football’s fiercest rivalries, remembered for the dramatic 1986 World Cup quarter-final when Diego Maradona scored both the controversial “Hand of God” goal and the iconic “Goal of the Century” in Argentina’s 2-1 victory.
The winner will progress to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, while the defeated side will compete in the third-place playoff.
