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League: MLSSport: SoccerCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

Ismail Elfath officiates England vs. Argentina semifinal amid favoritism claims

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 14, 2026, 5:02 PM

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

Ismail Elfath officiates England vs. Argentina semifinal amid favoritism claims
Summary

Ismail Elfath has been appointed as the referee for the England vs. Argentina semifinal match at the World Cup on July 14, 2026. Fans express concern over perceived favoritism towards Argentina due to Elfath's history of officiating matches involving Lionel Messi, who has a perfect record of 5-0 in matches with Elfath. The controversy intensifies as Argentina is under investigation by the FBI, which adds to ongoing claims of referee bias. Several notable matches involving Elfath and Messi, including the 2022 World Cup final, have led to heightened scrutiny of FIFA's appointments.

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By the Numbers
  • •Ismail Elfath officiates England vs. Argentina on July 14, 2026.
  • •Messi has a perfect 5-0 record in Elfath's matches.
  • •Argentina is under FBI investigation for financial misconduct.
  • •Elfath was the fourth official in the 2022 World Cup final.
  • •Concerns persist over FIFA's perceived favoritism towards Argentina.
Latest Updates
  • 5:02 PMYahoo Sports — Who is Ismail Elfath? Meet Messi's 'favorite referee' stirring more Argentina favoritism outcry
What they're saying
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Here's the rundown on Elfath, and why many soccer fans believe he's helped Messi in the past.

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