On this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, host Meghan Klingenberg is joined by the referee trio that officiated the Argentina-England Semifinal match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ismail Elfath, Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins made history this summer as the first all-U.S. Soccer referee crew in the men’s tournament to referee a World Cup Semifinal.
The three link up to recount their incredible experience this summer, including that intense Semifinal match between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Harry Kane’s England at Atlanta Stadium. Then, they talk more about their journeys to refereeing, how the three gained trust to work together as a team, including bringing pastries, and how refereeing education makes a difference on the pitch.
Chapters:
02:26 – All about that Argentina-England Semifinal
09:02 – How are referees selected for knockout stage matches?
21:24 – How do they know what defines a handball?
28:01 – Ismail gets spicy about VAR
32:02 – What drew the trio to refereeing
39:00 – Should 26-player rosters be expanded?
42:30 – What they would tell young referees
49:00 – What separates players who make a National Team roster?
Read More: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/federation/all-american-referee-crew-argentina-england-fifa-world-cup-semifinal-atlanta
More on Ismail Elfath: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/federation/all-american-referee-crew-argentina-england-fifa-world-cup-semifinal-atlanta
More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast
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