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Is FIFA Rigging the World Cup for Messi? Referee Ismail Elfath's England Semi-Final Appointment Raises Eyebrows

International Business Times UK — July 14, 2026 at 03:04 PM UTC

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Is FIFA Rigging the World Cup for Messi? Referee Ismail Elfath's England Semi-Final Appointment Raises Eyebrows

FIFA's choice of Ismail Elfath as referee for the England vs Argentina semi-final has sparked conspiracy theories, given his history with Messi's teams and recent controversial officiating decisions.