Ismail Elfath will become a history-maker when he takes charge of England's World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina. The match is scheduled for Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, with kick-off at 8pm UK time, broadcast live on BBC One.
Historic Appointment
Elfath will be the first American to referee a men's World Cup semi-final, marking a monumental moment in his refereeing career. This will be his fourth refereeing assignment of the 2026 tournament, following his handling of group stage and round of 16 matches.
Early Life and Background
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1982, Elfath immigrated to the United States in 2001 after winning a diversity visa lottery at age 18. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2006 before turning to professional officiating.
Domestic Career
Elfath has officiated in Major League Soccer since 2012, building a reputation as one of the premier referees in the US. He was named MLS Referee of the Year in both 2020 and 2022.
International Experience
Since becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2016, Elfath has officiated at the highest levels, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he made his tournament debut with matches such as Portugal vs Ghana and Cameroon vs Brazil, and served as fourth official for the final between Argentina and France.
Match Details
The semi-final will be broadcast live on BBC One, with pre-match analysis starting around 7pm UK time.
