Lionel Messi’s ‘lucky referee’? FIFA appointment for England against Argentina sparks new debate | Football News
The referee appointed for Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final between England and Argentina found himself the center of attention even before the ball was kicked. Moroccan-American official Ismail Elfath will officiate the high-profile clash at Atlanta Stadium, adding another major fixture to his growing résumé. The 44-year-old will be refereeing his fourth match at the tournament, having already overseen Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay and Norway’s shock 2-1 win over Brazil in the Round of 16. The assignment also brought an interesting subplot involving the Argentine captain Lionel Messi. Elfath has been involved in many important matches with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in recent years, leading some fans on social media to point out the unusual coincidence. During 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Elfath served as the fourth official for the final between Argentina and France, where Messi scored twice before leading his country to victory in a penalty shootout. A year later, Elfath was the referee for the 2023 Leagues Cup final, where Messi scored Inter Miami’s only goal against Nashville SC before the MLS club lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout. His record in Major League Soccer also attracted attention. Elfath has taken charge of Inter Miami’s four games involving Messi, with the Florida club winning each of those games. The statistics fueled online speculation, with some supporters describing Elfath as a “lucky” referee for Messi. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the official showed any preference for the Argentina star or any other player. The appointment comes during a tournament where Argentina’s knockout victories over Egypt and Switzerland have generated significant debate over refereeing decisions. Egypt had a goal disallowed in their loss, while Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR intervention, prompting criticism from players and officials after both games. The controversy has also sparked conspiracy theories on social media that claim FIFA favored Argentina during what is expected to be Messi’s last World Cup. Football’s governing body has always rejected the proposals. FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, recently defended the match officials, stressing that referees work independently and are not influenced by external pressure. He also warned that unfounded allegations could expose officials and their families to abuse and threats, insisting that every decision was made with good intentions. From a football perspective, Elfath is known for adopting a strong disciplinary approach. In his three matches at the 2026 World Cup, he showed eight yellow cards and one red card, suggesting that England and Argentina can expect a tightly controlled competition. The semi-final has great importance for both countries. England are chasing their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966, while defending champions Argentina are looking to reach a second consecutive final as Messi continues his quest for another world title.
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