FIFA appoints Ismail Elfath for Argentina-England semifinal, sparking debate

Ismail Elfath will referee the World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England, a decision that has ignited controversy over alleged favoritism. English media outlets have heavily criticized the appointment, pointing to Elfath's undefeated record when officiating matches involving Lionel Messi Source: Daily Mail.

The Messi connection

Elfath, a U.S.-based referee of Moroccan origin, has officiated four MLS matches for Inter Miami since Messi's arrival in 2023—all victories for the Argentine star's team. He also served as fourth official during Argentina's 2022 World Cup final win Source: Daily Express. This history has fueled conspiracy theories that FIFA is manipulating the tournament to favor Argentina, an accusation the organization denies Source: Daily Mail.

Concerns over performance

Critics point to Elfath's controversial performances earlier in the tournament, particularly in the Spain-Uruguay match where he was accused of failing to control the game's physicality Source: El Confidencial. Former referee Mark Halsey argued that the semifinal should have been given to a more experienced official, though he dismissed claims of favoritism Source: The Sun. Despite these concerns, FIFA has defended the choice, citing Elfath's extensive international experience including World Cup, Copa América, and Olympic assignments Source: El Nacional.