World Cup referee Ismail Elfath has described officiating at the 2026 tournament as the pinnacle of his career, calling his appointment to a marquee England–Argentina clash “an indescribable honour”.
Elfath, a US-based referee of Moroccan origin, was speaking to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah after returning from a World Cup in which he handled four matches, including what he termed a “historic” encounter between England and Argentina.
“تكليفي بادارة مباراة بهذا الحجم كان شرفا كبيرا لا يوصف، اشعر بالاعتزاز الشديد، واتقدم بالشكر لكل من ساهم في وصولي الى هذه المرحلة”، قال الفتح، الذي ادار اربع مباريات في المونديال بينها المواجهة التاريخية بين انجلترا والارجنتين.
He said the 2026 tournament represented the summit of a long journey through domestic and international refereeing, and stressed that it had only been possible thanks to years of support from officials and colleagues around him.
Morocco’s rise ‘no longer a surprise’
Elfath devoted part of the interview to the continued emergence of Morocco’s national team, insisting that the Atlas Lions’ recent performances on the world stage are the logical outcome of a long-term project rather than a fleeting shock.
وعن تالق المنتخب المغربي، شدد الفتح على ان ما يقدمه “اسود الاطلس” لم يعد مفاجاة، بل نتيجة عمل موسسي طويل الامد، حيث اكد: “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”.
Morocco has invested heavily in facilities such as the Mohammed VI Football Complex and in structured youth development. Elfath argued that these efforts are now paying off and predicted that the team will be among the leading contenders at the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco is set to co-host.
Saudi football ‘much stronger’, but more youth focus needed
Drawing on his experience in the Saudi Pro League, Elfath also assessed the trajectory of Saudi Arabian football. He said the domestic competition had grown significantly in quality, with serious work under way within the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
واثنى الفتح على تقدم الكرة السعودية، مستندا الى خبرته السابقة في ادارة مباريات الدوري السعودي، وقال: “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”.
His comments come as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in its league and national team, with ambitions to become a sustained force in global football. Elfath underlined that broadening the talent pool and prioritising youth structures would be crucial if those ambitions are to be realised.
‘One mistake can overshadow everything’
Elfath acknowledged that refereeing will always attract scrutiny, even with technological tools such as VAR in regular use. He likened the position of the referee to that of a goalkeeper, where a single error can define perceptions of an entire performance.
واقر الفتح بان التحكيم سيبقى دايما عرضة للنقاش، مهما تقدمت التقنيات، موضحا: “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”.
Despite the controversies that regularly form part of World Cup narratives, Elfath defended the overall standard of officiating at the 2026 finals, arguing that contentious moments are inevitable in a sport based on “human decisions”.
Message to Arab referees: ‘Nothing is impossible’
Turning his attention to the next generation, Elfath issued a motivational appeal to aspiring officials across the Arab world, urging them to focus on professionalism and preparation.
ووجه الفتح رسالة تحفيزية للحكام العرب قايلا: “لا شيء مستحيل، الثقة بالنفس تاتي من الاحترافية والانضباط والاعداد الجيد، اذا كنتم الافضل في اللياقة والتحضير، فالفرص ستاتيكم حتما”.
He stressed that fitness, discipline and thorough preparation are non-negotiable for those hoping to reach the elite level, and insisted that opportunities at major tournaments will follow for those who consistently meet those standards.
Cape Verde the most entertaining side
To close the interview, Elfath set aside his refereeing persona and spoke as a fan, revealing which team most captured his imagination during the tournament.
واختتم الفتح الحوار باختيار المنتخب الذي امتعه اكثر خلال البطولة، قايلا: “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”.
Cape Verde, he said, embodied the attacking bravery and joy that, in his view, lie at the heart of football, leaving one of the World Cup’s senior officials among their many admirers.
