Moroccan-American Referee Is Lionel Messi’s Favorite for 2026 World Cup Semi-Final

The highly anticipated 2026 World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England has drawn global attention not only for the teams but also for the referee, Ismail Elfath. Elfath, a Moroccan-American official, is known as Lionel Messi’s preferred referee, having served as the fourth official in the memorable 2022 World Cup final where Messi lifted the trophy. Since Messi’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS), Elfath has officiated four of his games, all resulting in wins for Messi’s teams and five goals scored.

Concerns have arisen in England regarding Elfath’s refereeing style, as he has issued six yellow cards and a direct red card to Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio for a high tackle during the tournament. England’s team has received yellow cards more frequently than any other quarter-finalist, averaging one card every seven fouls, while Argentina has been the most lenient, receiving one card every 22 fouls. British media have speculated about FIFA favoring Messi and Argentina, fueling conspiracy theories about biased officiating.

Ismail Elfath was born in Morocco and moved to the United States at 18 after winning a green card lottery. He has been an MLS referee since 2012 and was twice named MLS Referee of the Year. Elfath became a FIFA referee in 2016 and debuted in the 2022 World Cup, officiating matches including Portugal vs. Ghana and Japan vs. Croatia. In the current tournament, he has refereed games such as Japan vs. Netherlands and Brazil vs. Norway.

Despite being regarded as one of FIFA’s most respected and reliable referees, Elfath’s appointment comes at a sensitive time. His decisions in Argentina’s matches against Egypt and Switzerland have faced sharp criticism from fans, players, and media, increasing the pressure on him for the semi-final. With millions watching, Elfath’s performance could either enhance his reputation as a top referee or place him at the center of another World Cup refereeing controversy.