Olathe native on American referee crew for Argentina-England World Cup semifinal
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- Kyle Atkins will serve as second assistant referee for England vs Argentina in Atlanta.
- Moroccan-born American Ismail Elfath leads the all-American crew and drew criticism.
- Atkins has officiated over 180 MLS matches and won the 2024 MLS Assistant Referee award.
Olathe native Kyle Atkins has already been part of some of the most exciting games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and he’ll likely get one last blockbuster in the tournament.
Atkins is not a player, though: He will be the second assistant referee when England faces Argentina in the second semifinal on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Atlanta.
Atkins held the same post in his previous three World Cup matches during this year’s tournament; viewers can spot him running the touchline, signaling offsides. The all-American crew will be headed by Moroccan-born Ismail Elfath, who is regarded as one of the best center referees in the U.S.
Elfath has received some criticism because Argentina star Lionel Messi is 4-0 in MLS games officiated by Elfath — Messi also stars for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami team, and Elfath works as an official in MLS, too. Fans and federation presidents alike have accused FIFA of conspiring to help Argentina win.
The referee crew’s three World Cup matches thus far include a 2-2 group-stage draw between the Netherlands and Japan; Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay; and Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16.
Elfath was also the fourth official in the 2022 World Cup final, when Argentina beat France in penalty kicks. Atkins was on that crew as well as an offside video assistant referee (VAR). The two men officiated four World Cup matches in Qatar four years ago.
Atkins, 39, is a highly regarded assistant referee. He’s officiated more than 180 MLS matches since his 2014 debut and has been on the FIFA international panel since 2018. His experience also spans several international competitions alongside the World Cup, such as the 2021 Olympic Games.
In 2024, he won the MLS’ Assistant Referee of the Year award.
This story was originally published July 15, 2026 at 11:15 AM.
