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

The highly anticipated 2026 World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England in the United States 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 during the unforgettable 2022 final where Messi lifted the World Cup trophy. Since Messi’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS), Elfath has officiated four of his games, all resulting in victories for Messi’s teams and five goals scored.

Concerns have emerged in England regarding Elfath’s refereeing style, highlighted by his issuance of six yellow cards and a direct red card to Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio for a high tackle on Spain’s Pau Torres during the tournament. England’s team has received yellow cards more frequently than any other quarterfinalist, averaging one every seven fouls, while Argentina has seen a card only once every 22 fouls. British media have speculated about FIFA favoring Messi and Argentina, fueling conspiracy theories intensified by Elfath’s appointment to the semifinal.

Born in Morocco, Elfath moved to the U.S. at age 18 after winning a Green Card lottery. He has been an MLS referee since 2012, earning Referee of the Year twice, and a FIFA referee since 2016. His World Cup debut was in 2022, officiating matches including Portugal vs. Ghana and the round of 16 game between Japan and Croatia. In the 2026 tournament, he has refereed matches such as Japan vs. Netherlands, Uruguay vs. Spain, and Brazil vs. Norway.

Despite being regarded as one of FIFA’s most respected and reliable referees, Elfath faces intense scrutiny due to controversial decisions in Argentina’s matches against Egypt and Switzerland. With millions watching the semifinal, his performance could either enhance his reputation as a top global referee or place him at the center of another World Cup refereeing controversy.