NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
England will face Argentina on Wednesday 15 July at the Atlanta Stadium with a place in the World Cup final against Spain at stake. Spain confirmed their place in the final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium by defeating France 2-0 in the first semi-final.
England started the tournament strongly by beating Croatia 4-2, but followed that with a draw against Ghana and an unconvincing win over Panama to secure top spot in their group.
The Three Lions then survived a major scare against DR Congo in the round of 16, needing a late comeback behind a brace from Harry Kane to go through with a 2-1 win. From there, Jude Bellingham delivered two magnificent performances. He scored back-to-back goals against Mexico in the round of 16 and Norway in the quarter-finals, including the extra-time winner against Norway that sent England into the semi-finals.
Argentina also had a strong start to the tournament, winning all three matches in the group stage, but the road through the knockout rounds has been far from easy.
The defending champion needed extra time to outlast Cape Verde, 3-2, in the round of 16. Argentina then fell 2-0 behind against Egypt and needed three goals from the 79th minute onwards to complete a dramatic 3-2 comeback.
In the quarter-finals, Argentina squeezed past Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina an early lead before Switzerland equalised, but the game changed when Breel Embolo was sent off in the 72nd minute. Julián Álvarez scored the go-ahead goal in the 112th minute before Lautaro Martínez added a late insurance goal. Lionel Messi has been critical of everything Argentina do, scoring eight goals in six games at this World Cup.
Who are the referees for England vs. Argentina?
(Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Moroccan-born American referee Ismail Elfath will be in charge of the semi-final on home soil in the United States.
This is Elfath’s second World Cup, having also refereed at the 2022 tournament. It will be his fourth assignment at the 2026 World Cup after refereeing the 2-2 group stage draw between the Netherlands and Japan, Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay and Norway’s 2-1 round of 16 win over Brazil.
The semi-final will be the World Cup match at the highest level that Elfath has refereed as center referee.
Messi also has a positive history with Elfath. The American served as the fourth official during Argentina’s victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final. Since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, he has also won all four matches in which Elfath officiated.
Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins will serve as Elfath’s assistants, while Italy’s Maurizio Mariani will be the fourth official.
Judge: Ismail Elfath (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (USA)
Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
