Referee Ismail Elfath is seen performing prostration (sajda) following the 2026 World Cup soccer match semi-final match between England and Argentina on the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. — X
Referee Ismail Elfath’s act of prostration, or sajda, after Argentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England has gone viral, with followers praising the Moroccan-born American official’s gesture of humility and gratitude.
Elfath was seen performing an act of prostration after Argentina’s 2-1 comeback victory, which despatched Lionel Messi’s aspect into the World Cup last towards Spain.
Born in Casablanca, Elfath moved to the US on the age of 18 after successful a Variety Immigrant Visa. He has officiated in Main League Soccer since 2012, grew to become a Fifa-listed referee in 2016 and has twice been named MLS Referee of the 12 months.
He was additionally chosen for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the place he served as fourth official for the ultimate between Argentina and France.
Elfath’s appointment for the England-Argentina match additionally made him the primary American to referee a World Cup semi-final.
Nevertheless, his dealing with of the match got here beneath scrutiny after a number of contentious selections throughout a bodily first half.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett criticised Elfath for not issuing an early yellow card to Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez after a head-high problem on England’s Elliot Anderson. Critics mentioned the choice helped set the tone for a tense match marked by frequent fouls and repeated appeals from England gamers.
The choice drew additional consideration after Fernandez later scored Argentina’s equaliser within the eighty fifth minute, cancelling out Anthony Gordon’s Fifty fifth-minute opener. Lautaro Martinez then accomplished Argentina’s comeback with a stoppage-time header.
Elfath’s appointment had already prompted debate on-line as a result of Messi’s groups have been 5-0 in matches by which Elfath had labored in some capability. Critics used the statistic to say favouritism in direction of Argentina, although no proof of bias has been introduced.
Supporters of Elfath have pointed to his expertise and file in main matches, whereas critics argue that the appointment created an optics drawback for Fifa earlier than such a high-profile fixture.
After the match, Messi dismissed allegations that Argentina had benefited from refereeing selections, saying the staff’s success was constructed on consistency, effort and high quality on the pitch.
Argentina’s victory retains alive their bid to turn into back-to-back world champions, whereas England missed the prospect to achieve the World Cup last.
