The referee appointed for Wednesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina has found himself the center of attention even before a ball has been kicked. Moroccan-American official Ismail Elfath will oversee the high-profile clash at Atlanta Stadium, adding another major appointment to his growing resume. The 44-year-old will referee his fourth game of the tournament, having already taken charge of Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay and Norway’s 2-1 win in Brazil in the round of 16. The assignment also carries an intriguing subplot involving the Argentina captain Lionel Messi. Elfath has been involved in several significant matches with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in recent years, leading some fans on social media to point out the unusual coincidence. During 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Elfath served as the fourth official for the final between Argentina and France, where Messi scored twice before leading his country to victory in a penalty shootout. A year later, Elfath was the referee for the 2023 League Cup final, where Messi scored Inter Miami’s only goal against Nashville SC before the MLS club lifted the trophy after another penalty. His record in Major League Soccer also attracted attention. Elfath has officiated four of Inter Miami’s games involving Messi, with the Florida club winning all of those games. The statistics have fueled speculation online, with some supporters describing Elfath as a “lucky” referee for Messi. However, there is no evidence to suggest the official showed any preference towards the Argentine star or any other player. The appointment comes during a tournament in which Argentina’s knockout victories over Egypt and Switzerland have generated significant debate over refereeing decisions. Egypt had a goal disallowed in their defeat, while Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR intervention, sparking criticism from players and officials after both games. The controversy has also sparked conspiracy theories on social media that say FIFA has favored Argentina during what is expected to be Messi’s final World Cup. The football organization has always rejected these suggestions. FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, recently defended the party’s officials, insisting that referees work independently and cannot be influenced by outside pressure. He also warned that unfounded allegations can expose officials and their families to abuse and threats, insisting that any decision is made in good faith. From a football perspective, Elfath is known to adopt a firm disciplinary approach. In his three games at the 2026 World Cup, he has shown eight yellow cards and one red card, suggesting that England and Argentina can expect a tightly controlled contest. The semi-final carries huge significance for both nations. England are chasing their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966, while defending champions Argentina are aiming to reach a second successive final as Messi continues his bid for another world title.