List of referees & officials for England vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match

Ismail Elfath will be the main referee for the game.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its final stages, with only four teams set to battle it out for the coveted title. In the second fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, the England national football team are set for a highly anticipated clash against heavyweights Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, USA.

England will arrive for the encounter with huge expectations, with the nation aiming to secure their second-ever World Cup title under manager Thomas Tuchel. Led by captain Harry Kane, the Three Lions had a brilliant group stage campaign, finishing as table toppers unbeaten.

They faced tough challenges in the knockout stages, beating the DR Congo in the Round of 32, winning 2-1, after being 1-0 down. England then managed a hard-fought win against co-hosts Mexico, securing a 3-2 win, despite being restricted to 10 men.

They then managed a 2-1 victory against Norway in the quarter-finals to confirm their spot in the final four. Along with Kane, Jude Bellingham will be another key player to watch out for, becoming the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score back-to-back braces in World Cup knockout matches.

Argentina will arrive for the game targeting their second consecutive title, to become only the third nation to achieve the feat. Led by icon Lionel Messi, Argentina had an excellent start to the tournament, topping their group with a perfect record.

La Albiceleste then faced Cape Verde in the Round of 32, where they secured a hard-fought 3-2 win against Cape Verde after extra time in the Round of 32. They then played Egypt in the Round of 16, scripting one of the most dramatic World Cup comebacks, winning 3-2, after being 2-0 down until the 78th minute.

In the quarter-finals, Argentina then defeated Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to confirm their spot in the semi-finals. Lionel Messi will be the nation’s most crucial player, managing eight goals and two assists so far in the tournament.

England and Argentina clash in one of the biggest rivalries in football, with the Three Lions holding the upper hand in the 14 encounters between the nations. This will mark their sixth meeting at the World Cup, with their most famous meeting coming in the 1986 quarter-finals, when Diego Maradona led Argentina to a 2-1 victory with his infamous “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century”.

Also Read: Who is Ismail Elfath? Meet referee officiating England vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final

List of Referees for the England vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final:

Referee Ismail Elfath from the United States will be the main referee for the heavyweight clash between England and Argentina. A highly experienced CONCACAF official, he is one of the most respected referees in world football.

Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins will be his assistants for the game, with the three men having previously worked together on several high-profile matches in the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Arab Cup, and major domestic and international fixtures.

• Match Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States)
• Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker (United States)
• Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (United States)
• Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
• Reserve Assistant Referee: Daniele Bindoni (Italy)

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