FIFA has confirmed that American referee Ismail Elfath will take charge of the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. The 44-year-old, a seasoned Major League Soccer (MLS) official often seen as Lionel Messi’s good-luck charm, will oversee the high-profile clash in Atlanta on Wednesday night. England manager Thomas Tuchel will be determined to guide the Three Lions past the reigning world champions.

Elfath, who will be the man in the middle for this crucial fixture, will be supported by fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins as assistant referees. Italy’s Maurizio Mariani has been appointed as the fourth official. This selection means that English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, along with Argentina’s Facundo Tello, are now ruled out of contention for officiating the final due to FIFA’s strict conflict-of-interest policies.

There’s considerable attention on Elfath’s record with Messi, as the Argentina captain has maintained a perfect 100 per cent winning record in five matches officiated by the two-time MLS Referee of the Year. That record notably includes Inter Miami’s thrilling victory in the 2023 Leagues Cup final.

The American referee also brings substantial experience at the highest level, having participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he served as the fourth official during the final between Argentina and France.

This appointment marks a significant personal achievement for Elfath, who nearly ended his refereeing career after suffering a severe knee injury during the 2024 Copa America. The injury required two surgeries and kept him sidelined for more than a year. His determination stems from his early life journey — emigrating from Casablanca to Texas at the age of 18 with only $200, after winning the US government’s diversity visa lottery. A former Austin Lightning striker, he switched to refereeing full-time in 2011 after becoming dissatisfied with the quality of local officiating, according to reports from The Telegraph.

As England and Argentina prepare for their semi-final showdown, tensions are expected to run high given the long-standing sporting and political history between the two nations. Elfath’s ability to manage the game will be under close scrutiny, especially since he has already issued eight yellow cards and one straight red card in the tournament so far. His performance could be pivotal in determining whether he is selected for the ultimate honour — officiating the World Cup final.