Of all the decisions FIFA will make during the 2026 World Cup, few will generate as much scrutiny as who holds the whistle. Moroccan-born American referee Ismail Elfath will officiate the semi-final between England and Argentina.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has publicly expressed surprise at the appointment, suggesting that Elfath lacks the kind of experience typically expected for a match of this magnitude.

The referee in question

Elfath, born on March 3, 1982, moved to the United States in 2001 and has been officiating in Major League Soccer since 2012. He earned his FIFA badge in 2016, making him eligible for international assignments.

Elfath served as a fourth official during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. He also refereed the 2016 U-20 World Cup final.

Halsey’s concern centers on the distinction between standing on the sideline during a final and being the person making split-second calls in the center circle of an England-Argentina semi-final. His argument boils down to something simple: referees who regularly handle high-pressure European club matches are better prepared for fixtures of this caliber. MLS, for all its growth, doesn’t consistently replicate that environment.

FIFA’s officiating philosophy

FIFA has historically tried to distribute World Cup officiating assignments across confederations, partly as a matter of representation and partly to avoid any single region dominating the referee pool. An American official at a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada fits that broader pattern.

This will be Elfath’s second World Cup officiating assignment. FIFA’s Referees Committee evaluates referees throughout the tournament, tracking performance metrics and decision-making accuracy before assigning later-round matches.

What this means for the match

Elfath is recognized for his strong man-management skills and for allowing play to flow rather than interrupting with excessive stoppages. He also has prior familiarity with Lionel Messi from the Argentine star’s time at Inter Miami in MLS.

Halsey’s public comments carry weight because he spent years operating at the highest level of English football. His skepticism is not rooted in questioning Elfath’s general ability but in match-specific readiness, given that the Premier League, Champions League, and other elite European competitions regularly produce the kind of cauldron atmosphere that a World Cup semi-final guarantees.