Who is England vs Argentina referee? Lionel Messi reunited with familiar face | OneFootball

World Cup semi-final official has previously refereed Messi’s Inter Miami in the MLS

England will meet Argentina on Wednesday for the first time in over 20 years in a colossal World Cup 2026 semi-final showdown.

England sealed their place in the last four by beating Norway 2-1 on Saturday after extra time courtesy of a brace from Jude Bellingham.

Reigning champions Argentina were also taken to extra time by 10-man Switzerland before goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez secured a 3-1 win for Lionel Scaloni’s side.

Argentina are looking to reach their second successive World Cup final, while England are aiming to progress past the semi-finals for the first time since they lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1966.

England and Argentina have a long and chequered past but have not met in the World Cup since David Beckham’s penalty sealed a 1-0 group stage win in Japan in 2002 - redemption after his costly dismissal against the same opponents in France four years earlier.

Wednesday’s game is expected to be a feisty encounter, with no love lost between the two teams and a place in the World Cup final on the line.

Moroccan-born American national Ismail Elfath will take charge of proceedings between England and Argentina.

He will be assisted on Wednesday by fellow Americans Kyle Atkins and Corey Parker, with Italy’s Maurizio Mariani serving as the fourth official. Daniele Bindoni - also of Italy - will be the reserve assistant.

Elfath moved to America after winning a US government “diversity lottery ticket” as an 18-year-old.

After playing football locally in Austin, Texas, he took up refereeing after becoming frustrated with the standard of officiating.

Man in the middle: Ismail Elfath will be the referee as England meet Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals

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Elfath has mainly officiated in Major League Soccer (MLS), but went to the the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was the fourth official during the thrilling final between Argentina and France, which Argentina won on penalties.

Wednesday’s semi-final between England and Argentina will be the fourth game Elfath has taken charge of at this year’s World Cup.

Elfath was the referee for group-stage matches between the Netherlands and Japan, as well as Uruguay and Spain. He also took charge of Norway’s shock last-16 victory over Brazil.

The 44-year-old is considered one of the top officials in North America and has won MLS Referee of the Year twice, in 2020 and 2022.

According to the Press Association, Elfath has officiated Argentina talisman Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami three times previously during the MLS’ regular season.

He was also the referee when Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup against Nashville SC.