As soon as FIFA named Ismail Elfath to referee the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina on July 15, the focus moved away from the players and toward the American's relationship with Lionel Messi.
Elfath has become one of CONCACAF's most respected officials, but his previous calls with Messi have resulted in an interesting statistic that has been a big talking point leading up to the semifinal.
Elfath has officiated at the FIFA World Cup, Copa América, Leagues Cup, MLS, and the FIFA Club World Cup. His appointment for England vs. Argentina in the World Cup semifinals marks another milestone in a career that has steadily risen through FIFA's refereeing ranks.
Why Is Referee Ismail Elfath Called Messi's 'Favorite Charm'?
The nickname is not for any controversial decisions, but rather for an unusual record.
In the senior competitive matches where Elfath has served either as the referee or fourth official, Messi's teams have never lost. Elfath's first match came in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, when he was named fourth official as Argentina won the match against France on penalties in Qatar.
(Photo by Dustin Markland/Getty Images)
Just under a year later, Elfath was in charge of the 2023 Leagues Cup final, which Inter Miami won in a penalty shootout against Nashville SC to win their first major title.
He has also been a part of several Inter Miami MLS games with Messi, where the team has not lost any of its games.
The figure has been shared extensively on social media since FIFA announced that Elfath will be in charge of the England vs. Argentina semifinal, with some fans and media jokingly calling him Messi's "lucky charm."
But the unbroken record is just a statistical fluke and not a sign of any bias. Elfath has established a solid reputation as a referee after years of working at the highest level and is appointed by FIFA based on his performance, neutrality, and consistency.
As Messi is set to captain Argentina in another World Cup semi, the focus will be on him and the referee. England fans will be hoping to put an end to their unbeaten run.
