FIFA has officially appointed American referee Ismail Elfath to officiate the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.
​The high-stakes encounter, one of international football’s most storied and fiercest rivalries, is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kick-off is set for 3:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM BST).
​Elfath, a veteran Major League Soccer (MLS) official with extensive international pedigree, will lead an all-American officiating crew under the bright lights in Georgia. Known for his calm demeanor and authoritative management of high-pressure fixtures, Elfath faces what many consider the toughest assignment of the tournament so far.
​Both heavyweights booked their spots in the final four after grueling, extra-time quarter-final battles on Saturday. Thomas Tuchel’s England outlasted Norway 2–1 thanks to a decisive extra-time strike from Jude Bellingham. Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni’s defending world champions, Argentina, overcame a stubborn 10-man Switzerland side 3–1 after an exhaustive 120 minutes of play.
Given the fierce historical tensions between England and Argentina, FIFA’s Referees Committee chose Elfath to maintain strict order on the pitch. The winner of Wednesday’s clash will book a ticket to the World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where they will face either France or Spain.
