The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announcement appointing American referee of Moroccan origin Ismail Elfath to officiate the England vs. Argentina match in the 2026 World Cup semi-final sparked a wave of controversy, after media outlets and fans on social media revived the description of him as the 'favorite referee' of Argentine star Lionel Messi.

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These claims are based on the record of matches Elfath has officiated involving Messi. The Argentine captain has not suffered any loss in the matches handled by the American referee, whether with his national team or with his club Inter Miami, leading some to link his appointment to the semi-final and raise questions about impartiality. Ismail Elfath is one of the most prominent referees in the United States, holding an international badge since 2016. He has officiated matches in the 2022 and 2026 World Cups and was the fourth official in the Qatar World Cup final, where Argentina won the title. During the current edition, he has overseen several notable matches, most notably Spain vs. Uruguay and Norway vs. Brazil, and has extensive experience in handling highly sensitive clashes.

This appointment coincides with escalating refereeing controversy over Argentina's progress in the tournament, particularly after objections from competing teams over some decisions in previous matches, most notably the Argentina vs. Egypt match, which lit up social media and fueled the spread of conspiracy theories. FIFA, meanwhile, consistently affirms the independence of referees and the integrity of the officiating system.

All eyes are now on the England vs. Argentina clash, not only for its technical and historical significance but also because of the immense pressure on Ismail Elfath. Every decision he makes will be under the microscope in one of the most anticipated World Cup matches, amid global anticipation of whether he can manage the game away from all the controversy that preceded the opening whistle.