For the first time since 2002, the deep-rooted rivalry between England and Argentina will be reignited at a World Cup on Wednesday.After each coming through their three knockout fixtures — and neither doing so in particularly comfortable fashion — England and Argentina will meet in Atlanta for the chance to play either France or Spain in Sunday’s showcase at MetLife Stadium.The semifinal kicks off at 3pm ET/12pm PT/8pm BST.Here, The Athletic has compiled all you need to know about the officials for the game.Who is the referee?U.S.-based referee Ismail Elfath has been appointed for Wednesday’s semifinal, marking his fourth match assignment at this summer’s tournament.Morocco-born Elfath, 44, is a graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, and has refereed in MLS since 2012. In August 2016, he was part of the first on-field video assistant referee (VAR) call as the system had its first live trial in a game between New York Red Bulls II and Orlando City B.Elfath, refereeing his second World Cup, became a FIFA-listed referee in 2016. He is considered a referee who allows matches to flow as much as possible.(Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images)He was the fourth official for the 2022 World Cup final, when Argentina beat France on penalties after a pulsating 3-3 draw.Among his other noteworthy assignments, Elfath was appointed as referee for the 2025-26 Concacaf Champions Cup final between Toluca and Tigres, and the 2023 Leagues Cup final, which saw Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami beat Nashville 11-10 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.He has refereed several matches involving Argentina captain Messi since his move to the MLS in 2023, most recently, Inter Miami’s 4-2 win against Orlando City in March. Orlando’s Colin Guske was sent off in that match for a push on Messi while already booked.Elfath and his team of officials will almost certainly be under intense scrutiny Wednesday, as the tournament reaches its critical stages, and after a number of controversial incidents, particularly in Argentina’s matches.Their last-16 opponents, Egypt, felt particularly aggrieved after a number of decisions went against them in a 3-2 defeat, which led their goalscorer in the match, Mostafa Ziko, to say “the cup is directed towards Argentina“.