Argentina handed ‘lucky omen’ by FIFA ahead of England World Cup semi-final

Ismail Elfath has been announced as the referee in charge of England’s World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina.

And while the 44-year-old has never officiated a Three Lions game before, he has proven to be a lucky omen for Argentina – and Lionel Messi – in the past.

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The two sides face off for a place in Sunday’s final in Atlanta on Wednesday at 8pm UK time.

It is the first official meeting between England and Argentina since the group stages of the 2002 World Cup.

That match saw David Beckham fire in a penalty in a 1-0 win for England – redeeming himself as a hero after being sent off four years earlier in a 3-2 last-16 defeat to Argentina.

What Argentina game has Elfath officiated before?

Despite England beating Argentina in their last two fixtures [2002 World Cup, friendly in 2005], the South American nation will be hoping Elfath proves to be a good luck charm once again.

The Moroccan-born American referee was the fourth official in the 2022 World Cup final.

That game saw Messi finally lift the famous trophy for the first time – ending Argentina’s 36-year drought for world glory.

Fans were treated to the ‘greatest game you’ll ever see’ as Argentina and France played out a six-goal thriller, with the game going to penalties.

In a match that saw three penalties awarded – the most ever in a World Cup final – Argentina looked to be heading for a 2-0 win thanks to first half goals from Messi and Angel Di Maria.

But a late double from Kylian Mbappe sent the game to extra-time, with Messi restoring Argentina’s lead in the 108th minute.

Mbappe then equalised for a second time – becoming just the second player after England legend Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in a final – to send the game to penalties.

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And it was Argentina that prevailed in the shootout – scoring each of their four spot-kicks – while Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni missed for Les Bleus.

Incredibly, Inter Miami star Messi boasts a 100 per cent winning record with Elfath overseeing proceedings with their paths crossing on five occasions.

The MLS-listed official was the referee in the 2023 Leagues Cup final between Miami and Nashville, with the former triumphing to scoop their first major title.

And Messi has also been refereed three times by Elfath in the MLS, with Inter claiming three points in each match.

What games has Ismail Elfath refereed at the World Cup?

Elfath is gearing up to take centre stage for the seventh time as referee in a World Cup fixture.

His first game was Portugal’s enthralling 3-2 victory over Ghana in Group H in 2022, which saw Cristiano Ronaldo create history by becoming the first player to score in five different global tournaments – a record he has since broken in North America.

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And his second proved to equally as memorable, as Cameroon beat Brazil 1-0 following Vincent Aboubakar’s dramatic last-gasp winner – with Elfath then shaking his hand and sending him off after the striker took his shirt off when celebrating.

Croatia’s last-16 tie win over Japan proved to be the Elfath’s final game as referee in Qatar.

It was Japan who were involved in Elfath’s opening match in the 2026 edition, with the Asian side playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.

In Elfath’s second game this summer, he notably sent off Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio for a foul on Pau Cubarsi in Spain’s 1-0 win – a decision which saw him get shoved by the Fluminense man.

And in his last match at the World Cup, he was the referee for Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the last-16 – a game which saw him award two penalties.