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The anticipation ahead of England’s FIFA World Cup semi-final clash with Argentina has taken a controversial twist following FIFA’s announcement of the match referee. With Thomas Tuchel’s men aiming to reach their first final since 1966 and the reigning champions seeking back-to-back titles, every decision made in Atlanta is expected to be under intense scrutiny.

Argentina’s knockout stage encounters have already drawn criticism regarding VAR and officiating, so FIFA’s choice for this high-stakes match was always bound to attract attention.

However, the revelation that the appointed referee has previous connections to matches involving Lionel Messi has further fuelled the debate even before kick-off.

As per reports from the Daily Mail, concerns about potential favouritism have increased after FIFA selected Ismail Elfath to oversee Wednesday’s semi-final.

The Moroccan-born American referee will be supported by assistants Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, while Italy’s Maurizio Mariani has been named the fourth official.

ESPN also confirmed Elfath’s appointment for the match at Atlanta Stadium. He has officiated three games in this World Cup so far, though this will be his first assignment involving either England or Argentina.

Elfath has previously refereed several Inter Miami fixtures since Messi’s move to Major League Soccer, including the 2023 Leagues Cup final against Nashville.

Although some media outlets have referred to him as Messi’s “favourite referee,” there is no evidence to suggest any improper relationship or bias in his officiating.

The broader unease stems from the controversies surrounding Argentina’s victories over Egypt and Switzerland earlier in the tournament.

According to Reuters, opponents have repeatedly raised concerns about decisions perceived to favour Argentina. However, former FIFA referee Christina Unkel stated that after reviewing the incidents, she found no clear proof of poor officiating.

FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, has also dismissed any allegations of bias, maintaining that World Cup referees operate independently and that questioning their integrity without evidence is unacceptable.

Ultimately, Elfath’s performance on Wednesday should be assessed purely on the basis of his decisions during the match rather than his previous interactions with Messi.

Referees often officiate matches featuring the same top players multiple times, particularly when those players compete in the same league.

Nevertheless, FIFA must recognise why this particular appointment has stirred anxiety. Given recent disputed calls in Argentina’s favour, even a marginal but correct decision could reignite public and media backlash.