Ismail Elfath hails ‘unbelievable honour’ after refereeing England-Argentina at 2026 World Cup

Moroccan-origin World Cup referee Ismail Elfath says being appointed to officiate at the 2026 tournament – including the high-profile clash between England and Argentina – represents the pinnacle of his career.

Speaking to Saudi sports daily Al Riyadiya, the US-based international referee described the experience of taking charge of one of the World Cup’s standout fixtures as a defining moment in his life in football.

“تكليفي بادارة مباراة بهذا الحجم كان شرفا كبيرا لا يوصف، اشعر بالاعتزاز الشديد، واتقدم بالشكر لكل من ساهم في وصولي الى هذه المرحلة,” Elfath said.

The 42-year-old, who refereed four matches at the tournament, has emerged as one of the most prominent officials on the global stage and says walking out at the 2026 World Cup was the culmination of years of preparation and sacrifice.

Morocco ‘no longer a surprise’

Elfath, who was born in Morocco before moving to the United States, said the recent rise of the Moroccan national team was the product of long-term planning rather than a sudden breakthrough.

He insisted that the performances of the Atlas Lions on the world stage were now part of an established pattern of progress built over more than a decade.

“النتايج التي يحققها المغرب هي ثمرة روية واضحة بدات منذ اكثر من عشر سنوات في تطوير البنية التحتية واكتشاف المواهب، انا مقتنع تماما ان المغرب سيكون من المنافسين بقوة في مونديال 2030، وقد يصل الى ابعد من ذلك,” he explained.

Morocco’s success, he argued, has been underpinned by investment in training centres, academies and scouting, helping the country consistently produce players capable of competing at the highest level.

Saudi football ‘much stronger’ but needs broader base

Drawing on his experience officiating in the Saudi Pro League, Elfath praised the rapid evolution of the game in Saudi Arabia but warned that sustained global competitiveness would depend on developing a larger pool of home-grown talent.

“هناك جهود جادة داخل الاتحاد السعودي، والدوري اصبح اقوى بكثير، لكن المنافسة الحقيقية على المستوى العالمي تحتاج الى توسيع قاعدة المواهب والتركيز بشكل اكبر على الفيات السنية، اذا تحقق ذلك، سينعكس ايجابا بشكل مباشر على اداء المنتخب,” he said.

The influx of international stars has raised the league’s profile, but Elfath believes the next step must be a deeper focus on youth structures and pathways for Saudi players to ensure the national team can match the strength of its club competition.

‘One mistake can overshadow everything’

Elfath accepted that refereeing would always be subject to intense scrutiny, even as technology such as VAR continues to evolve.

He compared the role of a referee to that of a goalkeeper, where a single error can dominate the narrative of an otherwise excellent display.

“الحكم كحارس المرمى، يمكن ان يقدم اداء استثناييا طوال المباراة، لكن خطا واحد قد يطغى على كل شيء. التحكيم في مونديال 2026 كان جيدا بشكل عام، ووجود بعض الحالات المثيرة للجدل امر طبيعي في لعبة تعتمد على قرارات بشرية,” he said.

While acknowledging controversial incidents are inevitable, Elfath argued the overall standard of officiating at the 2026 World Cup had been strong.

Message to Arab referees: ‘Nothing is impossible’

Elfath used the interview to send an encouraging message to aspiring referees across the Arab world, urging them to commit fully to their profession if they want to reach tournaments like the World Cup.

“لا شيء مستحيل، الثقة بالنفس تاتي من الاحترافية والانضباط والاعداد الجيد، اذا كنتم الافضل في اللياقة والتحضير، فالفرص ستاتيكم حتما,” he said.

He stressed that physical preparation, attention to detail and discipline were essential for officials hoping to impress on the international stage.

Cape Verde the team that thrilled

Although he was at the World Cup as a neutral arbiter, Elfath admitted he still experiences the tournament as a fan and revealed the team that captivated him most in 2026.

“انا مشجع قبل ان اكون حكما، واكثر منتخب استمتعت بمشاهدته كان منتخب الراس الاخضر، لعبوا بجراة وبطولية، هاجموا وصنعوا المتعة، وهذا هو الجوهر الحقيقي لكرة القدم,” he concluded.

Elfath said Cape Verde’s fearless and attacking style embodied what he believes football should be about: courage, entertainment and the joy of the game.