American referee of Moroccan descent Ismail Elfath has been appointed to officiate the historic FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina, to be played on home soil in the United States. It is one of the most iconic matches the World Cup can offer.
Match #102
Semifinals
15 July 2026, 21:00 CET
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
ENGLAND - ARGENTINA
Referee: Ismail Elfath USA
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins USA
Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Reserve AR: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Juan Lara CHI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Tatiana Guzman NCA
Standby Video Assistant Referee: : Armando Villarreal USA
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Joe Dickerrson USA
Good luck to Elfath! Hope that he will be top!
ReplyDeleteGood luck but…very difficult moutain in front of US referee…
ReplyDeleteI fear the worst. My thoughts are with the really good refs who are sitting in the Team One base camp and watch this match on TV.
ReplyDeleteOr out of the training base 😂
DeleteI still remember the disastrous performance of his fellow American, Geiger, in England - Colombia. With that, the bar is set very low, but I do fear we could see something similar today. I would love to be proven wrong, though, and wish the very best of luck to Elfath!
ReplyDeleteAlready heated by the hymns and a ref who based on performance principle should not be there, good luck
ReplyDeleteI really dont see this ending well
ReplyDeleteThe worst appointment of this World Cup. A referee who lost control of Spain-Uruguay and missed a clear penalty in Brazil-Norway has been appointed to a World Cup semi-final. Either Collina is not independent, or he punished UEFA referees on purpose. Previous performance has become totally irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteMissed YC on Paredes. Unacceptable gesture.
ReplyDeleteIntroduction:
Deletehttps://streamable.com/ynwf95
2' Clip: https://streamable.com/cqd0je
DeleteFull-Sequence 3':
Deletehttps://streamable.com/pg6zlf
That’s violent conduct of they actually followed the laws of the game.
DeleteOnly 3 minutes to understand how it’ll go tonight…
ReplyDeleteLet me guess, referees fault???
DeleteIf the players are acting like this in the 3rd minute, its not his fault. They are being idiots, blame them for it
2 YC and you keep control of the game, I guarantee
DeleteHe is there to punish and control. And he failed in 3rd minute.
DeleteCome on. Referee knows the context and shows as usual his leniency and total lack of braveness. Pure Elfath. Very poor from him:
Delete101 matches have been played, in nearly all of them, the bar for cards has been extremely high. And now you want 2 in 3 and a half minutes? never gonna happen regardless of who the referee is
DeleteAnd there you go, 11 minutes in, just warnings. What a show
DeleteHere we go
ReplyDeleteThis will be fun
ReplyDeleteGame ended in 3 minutes 😘😘😘
ReplyDeleteMissed Violent Conduct in 3rd minute.
ReplyDeleteAre you surprised ? Only Stevie Wonder and fifa fan club here is oblivious
DeleteAnd another missed YC (orange?)
ReplyDelete3 minutes! Now thats impressive how quickly hes lost control!
ReplyDeleteSorry but 3 mn and Elfath is already lost. Hand forgotten for Argentina and harsh foul by Fernandez again with just a warning. Not able to be courageous. What a pity…
ReplyDeleteThat‘s a red card, he just punched him in the back of the head are you kidding me?
ReplyDeletebut we cannot say anything refereeing is so fair....
DeleteWe're in for a very intense match. I have a feeling El Fath will lose control of the game if he continues to be this lenient.
ReplyDeleteTheres been 2 fouls and players flipped out immediately. What makes anyone think cards are gonna fly in the 3rd minute based off the last 101 matches??? Players wanna go nuts from the first whistle, whats he supposed to do
DeleteFor behind or completely out of the play. Be serious…
DeleteWe will see a very ugly match… Hope Elfath is able to minimise the ugly scenes.
ReplyDeleteWow you can feel the tension in the air
ReplyDeleteHoping for the best
No dark arts tonight I guess
Btw good by the ref
Good start by the American Elfath
DeleteMissed his chance to take a strong stance right away. Now everyone will think they have a free hit before any YC
ReplyDeleteUS refereeing in the past years and this world cup has been awful, this appointment is not on merit. In WC2022 FIFA at least had the decency to appoint the host referee only to the third place match, but for semifinal, this is ridiculous. We can only hope he has an easy match, does not look like it so far.
ReplyDeleteEL FATAL at his best...
ReplyDeleteTook 2 minutes for the referee to lose control of the match. Absolutely awful job from him, his AR's, 4th official and VAR. Clear Red Card for the Argentina player not seen by anyone, and VAR also too scared to intervene. Not even a YC shown.
ReplyDeleteReferee has lost control of the match already. It's absolutely disappointing that these are the FIFA instructions for the referees
Chill out guys,game is with high pressure. Untill now,good control,players accepted him. If he start with the cards immidiatley,he will have more than -Lusail or Nuremberg- here!
ReplyDeleteGood control of what ? Let Argentinian made ugly fouls ? Come on !
DeleteAt least someone recognizes it. Players wanna start the chaos 45 seconds in and somehow he gets the blame for it.
DeleteThe two referees they chose for the semi-final should have swapped places... this match will never end.
ReplyDeleteClear penalty for England not whistled, VAR again asleep. It's not that different from the one called in Croatia-Portugal by the VAR.
ReplyDeletePenalty missed in 7'. Clear holding with both arms, not interested in where the ball is.
ReplyDeleteClear penalty for England!! The football is dead!
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteSimeone with 3 fouls in 9 minutes, no Yellow Card. This game will be ugly and not end well, and it will by Elfath's fault. I would love to see Ivan Bartón in this match.
ReplyDeleteOr, just a thought, maybe blame the players for acting completely out of control less than 3 minutes into the game. No one wants to see 9v9.
DeleteYes, just allow everything. Nobody wants to see 9v9.
DeleteI know Americans like WWE but…
Delete@Wisconsin Ref No one wants to see a game of non-football, mixed with rugby, with the players giving a terrible example, Argentinian players behaving like thugs... Some people might like this, Americans and other reality show consumers, but people who love football don't want this.
DeleteThere have been 10 fouls in 9 minutes..
ReplyDeleteOh my God, this can be a game without an end. It's a shame already in the 11' minute. I would stop here...
ReplyDelete100 percent this is dreadful. He needs a YC
DeleteThis game won't end with 22 players.
ReplyDeleteA doubtful beginning (using fair words) for Elfath… hooing him to improve his control seeming in trouble
ReplyDeleteThis game might become impossible to control. When players disbehave as early as here, one can‘t blame the referee. I wonder if some of the commentators have ever whistled a match before…
ReplyDeleteAt least someone see it. a large confrontation in the 3rd minute is the players lacking all control, put the blame where it should be.
DeleteEveryone knew the game would be like this. All the political drama leading up to it, with the Argentinian goverment stirring up hate to distract from their terrible governance and economical results. In a game like that, you cannot miss a YC/RC that early in the game, alllow players to brawl 3 minutes in, not call a clear holding penalty, etc...
DeleteI do not blame him, it is surely a difficult match, but the unfair appointment when there are so many better referees is very frustrating and people will criticize him a lot.
DeleteWe all knew it was coming and Elfath seems unprepared. Refs have the tools to avoid that in their pockets, but FIFA don’t want early cards. Maybe they prefer this awful show
DeleteHe also has the tool of managing through the first 15-20 minutes when everyone is a bit amped up. Already its chilling out a ton. Probably shouldve seen 1 yellow card in there, but the players went nuts right out the gate, and as expected, its calming down.
DeleteThat was actual a good no foul call for the challenge on Anderson.
ReplyDeleteI think there will be about 50 fouls in the match if things continue like this.
ReplyDeleteSo 4 fouls in 16 minutes by the same player and still no caution? Did they remove something from the law?
ReplyDeleteBut according to someone referee cannot be blamed…
Delete3 fouls according to the BBC website stats
DeleteSorry nothing has been worth a card so far.
DeleteThe unconventional in the second minute is reminiscent of the Final in 2022 with Marciniak. Almost exactly. A cheap, deliberate foul away from the ball. Marciniak’s response was incredibly aggressive, showing absolute contempt for the action, almost feeling so severe it was a worse feeling invoked in the player than receiving a yellow card. Everyone knew he did not accept that. Elfath’s response falls short. Incredibly passive response to such a pivotal moment. I think factually, if it weren’t for the perversion of refereeing we are seeing in this tournament and see often as “final refereeing” I think both in 2022 and now that that is a yellow card for UB - Lack of respect for the game. If only the game was refereed correctly without compromise.
ReplyDeleteI typed “incident” not sure why it corrected to “unconventional”
DeleteClatunburg on fox you need to manage the game in the beginning and some point you need to issue card to keep control
ReplyDeleteConsidering high tension from the start of the match, I think he handled first 20 minutes quite well.
ReplyDeleteYep
DeleteWe haven’t the same definition of controllling…
DeleteVery hard match. Ref has controlled well.
ReplyDelete12 mins 1 clear red card and 1 pen not given- and people will have me believe it a coincidence just so happens to be an Argentinian match
ReplyDeleteMaybe you are watching another game
DeleteThere is no line that fifa and ifab has set for consistency in officiating this game. Different things are allowed all over the world from the highest to the lowest level. And when we bring it all together in one tournament, it rears its ugly head. IFAB needs to be more specific about what offenses are punished as what. What dissent is, what is a reckless challenge, what is a foul, what is SFP. Standardize referee education and the education the public gets about officiating. FIFA should sanction federations whose referees are instructed to not or who do not enforce the laws of the game consistently and strictly.
Delete@adnane : see the other comments below
DeleteIs he intentionally not punishing fouls or does he just not detect them?
ReplyDeleteThis
DeleteObiviously the Argentinian players have got diplomatic immunity from YCs
ReplyDeleteThis match should have been Barton's. He would have shown a yellow card in the very minute to calm the game down
ReplyDeleteLike usa mexico 2024 concaf
DeleteClear YC for Bellingham not shown. I think murder will be necessary for a card in this game. After what he allowed the Argentinians to do minute 3, his hands are now tied.
ReplyDeleteBellingham hardly touched him ,referee got it right
DeleteIt is unbelievable how so many people have not adjusted to the expectations in this WC, but continue in the past. Obvious this, clear that, mandatory whatever. I suppose the ranting will "simply" continue.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteYes, the same people that thought Jayed was great when he did nothing about Paraguay kicking Musiala the entire second half.
Delete23' Clip: https://streamable.com/k3d7zm
ReplyDeleteStrange lack of comments on how the last 15 ish minutes calmed down.
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, he handled the GK pushing great - gave a warning and then just gave the foul without much delay.
ReplyDeleteThis could end 10 v 10. Seems he is hoping they will tire. Stop being aggressive to each other getting it out of their system and play football. Probably in extra tijme
ReplyDeleteThe players have no other option but to focus on the game. English players adapted to Argentina's dirty plays and started doing the same, and now the match seems more under control, but... Is this the control we want? A clear RC for Argentina not shown, clear YC for Bellingham not shown, penalty for England not called... The players can't be crying over spilled milk and must continue focused and playing, but we must be serious when we analyze what happened. One thing is a fact: Not assigning a penalty or a card "decides" a match just as much and doing it. It's also a decision not to assign it.
ReplyDeleteTHIS THIS THIS
DeleteThey were testing the referee early on. Now that they know he won’t do anything then they go back to focusing on playing. Then when things don’t go their way they know they can resort to other tactics.
Deletetuchel ???
ReplyDeleteNeed a clip of this
Delete29' Clip: https://streamable.com/b46n9t
DeleteTuchel x Bindoni ...
Argentinian players can do ANYTHING in front of the assistant referee near the benches, and he will not call a foul. Doing it once is acceptable, giving the throw-in and that's it. If you always do it, you lose control....
ReplyDeleteNormally has to be YC for Tuchel for dissent, but we know FIFA standards, so probably not expected card at this WC
ReplyDeleteWait till you see the Argentina bench first 10 mins
DeleteFootball without LoG, the coaches can do what they want. My God!
ReplyDeleteFIFA is responsible for LoG!!!
ReplyDeleteFIFA is responsible for LoG!!!
ReplyDeleteElfath set his stall out when not cautioning the arm to head late challenge on Anderson in the first five minutes. Some haphazard FK awards, including a missed foul by Mac Allister on James right in front of the benches
ReplyDeleteMinute 31: Good opportunity to finally issue a yellow, for stopping a promising attack, but... In this WC all tactical fouls are allowed and encouraged
ReplyDeleteMissed YC again for Enzo Fernandez again with a bad foul.
ReplyDelete32' Clip: https://streamable.com/y4bb2y
Delete5th foul by Simeone in 33 minutes. It's emabrassing for a referee at any level to not show a YC yet, much less in a WC semifinal.
ReplyDeleteNo referee again
ReplyDeleteStarting to haunt him the lack of respect being shown by the players of both teams. His lenient stance has truely back fired
ReplyDeleteWho’s surprised that after all this from Argentina, he gives England the first YC.
ReplyDeleteThis
DeleteNo one's surprised. And the message it sends is the mass dissent and sprinting to the referee is not only tolerated, but gets results
DeleteAlso in this case, he didn't want to book, then he saw another possible mass confrontation and he booked!
ReplyDeleteNo comment!
5 people running towards the referee and no card for protest is a joke.
DeleteFull-Sequence YC 37':
Deletehttps://streamable.com/lo49aw
Punched the neck - no card this card ?
ReplyDeleteArgentina refereeing the game, it seems. No card for Paredes, Simeone or Fernandez, so there’s my surprise to see an England player booked first
ReplyDeleteWhart is the difference with the foul on Bellingham ? Pressure by argentina players so he give a card
ReplyDeleteSimeone and Fernández are always involved in the dirty stuff. The Argentine player couldn’t care less that Elfath is calling him and shows absolutely no respect for the referee, who has to get angry before he finally bothers to come over and listen to yet another warning. If that’s considered game and disciplinary management, then we’re in trouble…
ReplyDeleteAnd then he gives the first yellow card—fully deserved—to an England player! What an absolute disgrace, honestly!
Is it forbidden to give a yellow card to an Argentine? Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely disgusting that the first YC of this match is for England. This is all FIFA's fault, for ordering the referees to protect Argentina. This foul was much softer than previous fouls that got no YC. I think Spencer was actually the player that did the foul and not Anderson...
ReplyDeleteWhere is Makkelie when we need him? This was exactly the kind of match he excels at. Elfath has not been in control since the start of the game.
ReplyDeleteJoke refereeing again ,YC for a foul on Messi ,after the assaults on the English players
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry but this is not a referee, but a clown on the pitch. No control, no acceptance, no clear line. Players and coaches know they are the boss. I really hope he doesn't influence the result.
ReplyDeleteHe seems like a referee without weapons. And that's dangerous, especially in this part of the world. Players feel he's not allowed to book at the start.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but this is not refereeing. This guy is a talentless clown who has no business officiating at this level. Shame on Collina and Busacca. They need to go!
ReplyDeleteYour comments are exhausting
DeleteClose your fragil eyes Mikie.
DeleteThere’s a reason he’s reffing the World Cup semifinals and you’re watching from home ;)
DeleteThe YC for England is correct. But why didn‘t he book one Argentine player? For dissent, for the mass confrontation for anything. Would have been accepted, I‘m sure.
ReplyDeleteAfter what the referee has let go previously ,it is the worst kind of refereeing ever .The only reason it was a yellow card is it was a foul on Messi
DeleteWhy wait until minute 40 to start refereeing the game?
ReplyDeleteOk YC but still mandatory with the foul and configuration made by ref.
ReplyDeleteYC 42' Clip: https://streamable.com/qrimq7
ReplyDeleteLet's be clear: I think foul detection in this game has been very good (besides the clear penalty for England, but it's more of a VAR play, and the hit on the head minute 3 which was away from the ball but again needed help from VAR or 4th official/AR). On that front, Elfath has been at an amazing level. His positioning also has been good. But... On the disciplinary side, it has been a disaster.
ReplyDelete3mins added time😂😂😂😂
ReplyDelete2 mass confrontations and a 3 min hydration break = 3 minutes apparently
ReplyDeleteHow is there no added time?
ReplyDeleteNo added time after all the time wasted in the confrontations? That's the sign of a referee that is extremely uncomfortable in the match.
ReplyDeleteAgree. No words…
DeleteThey’ll end up manufacturing a penalty for Messi to take. I’m fed up with this subservience to the Argentines. Personally, I try to be very analytical about the performances of the players under scrutiny. But having to watch Argentina play—that is truly exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI think it wouldve been better to have 1 yellow to argentina in the first 20. But aside from that, what more do people want.
ReplyDeleteThe players came out absolutely crazy with no control and no common sense, he weathered that storm, it chilled out, and then he showed cautions on two SPA fouls when it started heating up again. Absolute chaos, but when a game starts with that many fouls and aggressive tackles, its always going to be a bit wild.
+1
DeletePeople on here want to see a repeat of the Battle of Nuremburg.
DeletePeople wants a real referee, with nuts and braveness. Contrary of what Elfath is.
Delete@Wisconsin Ref You are not supposed to "weather the storm", you are supposed to not let it even begin and become out of control. You can say that, but you neglect that it came at the cost of a Red Card for Argentina and a penalty for England. I mean, yeah, he weathered the storm, by clearly benefitting one team multiple times, is this really what we want and what is fair?
DeleteYou cannot start a match being rigid and firm about a player having to take the throw-in a few meter behind where he tried to take it, and then 1 minute later not punish an elbow to the back of the head without the ball there and a brawl that starts.
Wow. 2 confrontations. 2 teams clearly intent to rile each other up. English technical area a shambles (Argentina probably not much better) ends half on a corner kick situation… out of his depth!!!!
DeleteMissed yellow I agree with, but it was not an elbow, and VAR agrees that it was not a red card.
DeleteThere was no missed penalty for England, if you are talking about Stones in the 8th minute, thats never a foul at the pro level.
So yes, imo he "weathered the storm" of all 22 players being out of control for 20 minutes with 1 missed yellow and then everything was much more calm after that. Perfectly fine in such a high strung match.
How on earth there are no added minutes!???
ReplyDeleteAdded time is farcical
ReplyDeleteCalls half time on a corner in a game like this. He’s actively trying to cause problems
ReplyDeleteThe law is clear add time only if there is Pelanty
DeleteThat’s mean intelligence of refereeing. Added a shamefully short 3 minutes of stoppage time, only to then deny a clearly playable corner. Getting showered with protests and criticism at half-time, with a queue of players waiting to complain to the officials. Hats off!
DeleteNot a fan of that decision, but the ball went out at 48:08 so the added had already expired before corner was even given. I do think +3 was strangely low.
DeleteWhy had time expired? It’s a minimum of three minutes, at the referee’s discretion, which was pitifully low given a hydration break and all the antics
DeleteI mean the only restart that can occur after the allotted added time has passed is a penalty kick. Referee discretion then, if England converts from the corner then Argentina has a case for protest as technically half-time should have been called. Either decision will make one side unhappy, the safest decision is ending the half.
DeleteAnd again Messi can talk and do whatever he wants.
ReplyDeleteAnd kane did the same
DeleteKane was approaching the referee at the end of the half too though....
DeleteWhat a catastrophic sum up of his first half !
DeleteHoje conseguimos está igualando a arbitragem de ontem dois árbitros despreparados apitando mal se fica quiser por o MaurÃcio Mariani do banco vai salvar da desgraça.
ReplyDeleteArgentian player not letting the English one take the free kick quickly, no YC shown. Then, not allowing the corner kick to be taken, after refusing to give adequate added time... A disastrous performance.
ReplyDeleteLet's be honest with the way FIFA have told them to referee things, quite a few refs have been lucky that players have mostly behaved themselves this tournament.
ReplyDeleteWell, after the first half one can only say: What a masterclass by the referee!
ReplyDeleteThis should be textbook stuff in every course about how not to referee on a football pitch. He almost lived up completely to the expectations of that course. Just a pity he got also a few decisions right...
Before game today, i rewatch the game Spain Urugvay game,just to see it again and I must public apologise, and said that that game was very good officiated with the circumstances that was, with two crucial decisions correct!It was not Elftahs guilty why Urugvayan players was like they were, and such game finished with correct handshaking! Once more, very good mark from me in that game!
ReplyDeleteMessi being allowed to referee the game ,the referee should have sent him away after the half time whistle ....but allowed him to ask when the penalty will be awarded
ReplyDeleteI think Messi will become a good referee in the future, he was so enthusiastic when explaining how to referee correctly...
ReplyDeleteYou cannot start a match being rigid and firm about a player having to take the throw-in a few meter behind where he tried to take it, and then 1 minute later not punish an elbow to the back of the head without the ball there and a brawl that starts... And it all snowballed from there
ReplyDeleteHalf time ok performance from the American Elfath much expected to be honest
ReplyDeleteLots of fouls
But not a poor performance but he failed to deal with dark arts
Clear red card time 2.35!
ReplyDeleteThis is like watching a referee of the local men's housleague derby up the road, no control, just getting through the half. What a joke Elfath is.
ReplyDeleteTerrible appointement. Elfath was already lost with Spain-Uruguay, i dont see the point of giving him a hardest game. I'm sad for him
ReplyDeleteIf Collina had any sense ,he would subistute the referee at half time.
ReplyDeleteSolid job so far with two teams determined to push the boundaries and see what they can get away with, physically and verbally.
ReplyDeleteSolid job ,he's only refereed England ,Argentina allowed to foul all they like because of the referees mate Messi
DeleteArgentina was called for 12 fouls. England for 7.
DeleteThankfully, none of England's dives were rewarded.
For those insisting on the early RC, the Italian VAR did not see it that way.
ReplyDeleteIntentional elbow to the head ,didn't follow the laws of the game ,no doubt because of Infantino
DeleteYes, he and his team of VAR's seemed to have "gone for a coffee" as Carlos Queiroz would say. Same for the penalty for holding, which has not really been discussed and I don't know why.
Delete+1
Delete@John it wasnt his elbow. He brought his hand down on the back of the England players head. I think missed Yellow, no way is that red.
DeleteElfath really isn't having a first half. He’s following the action from too far away; in a tense match like this, he ought to be close to the center of any incident. He tried to talk his way through things too much and could have issued a YC to Enzo —a player who actually has a history of committing many fouls. He isn't showing authority in his interventions; for instance, he could have taken action against the benches, as staff members keep stepping onto the pitch. A YC for someone on the coaching staff would have been enough. The additional time was absurd. Just 3’ was less than the duration of the hydration break—let alone enough to make up for the time lost to 20 fouls and the GKS stalling. Hopefully, he improves during the second half.
ReplyDelete@Bussaca is right. some people talk for nothing
ReplyDeleteSERIOUS QUESTION: What is the goal of FIFA? When they tell the referees to show no cards, 1) the games get dirty like this, 2) its against the rules, and 3) the fans don't have any fun because we see no football game, but a fight. This cant be FIFA's goal. So what is it?
ReplyDeleteAgree. Expected goals at 0,03 and 0,04. That’s what fifa wants ? Ridiculous !
DeleteChrist, everybody is a critic and every referee decision is controversial.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteGood YC for Romero.
Delete+1
DeleteAté no inÃcio de segunda tempo se perdeu
ReplyDeleteHand on the face, 6th Simeone foul, again no YC
ReplyDeleteYC 51' Clip: https://streamable.com/bkceyd
ReplyDeleteNow the dynamic shifts... could become very hard to handle
ReplyDeleteIt must be horrible to be at this WC, and be told by FIFA, by Colina and the others, to not show any cards, to not punish dissent, to allow everything, to not card star players... On one hand, you want to referee more games, you don't want to be sent home, so you want to follow orders. But, on the other hand, that means you have to go against the principles of the rules, against what might be best for the game, you have to have different rules for different players and teams...
ReplyDeleteAnd no comments on a great no penalty call.
ReplyDelete