How Three Americans Officiated Argentina-England at FIFA World Cup 2026

How Three Americans Officiated Argentina-England at FIFA World Cup 2026

Author: US Soccer | Cumulus Podcast Network August 19, 2026 Duration: 54:15
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 Subscribe to U.S. Soccer on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ussoccerdotcom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Each week, the U.S. Soccer Podcast opens up a direct line to the individuals shaping the sport across the country. Host David Gass guides these Wednesday conversations, which are less about formal interviews and more about genuine discussions with coaches, staff, and players from every corner of the American game. You’ll hear from figures connected to the senior national teams, of course, but the dialogue consistently extends to the youth setups and the broader ecosystem dedicated to development. This approach provides a unique, ground-level perspective on the efforts to advance soccer in the United States. These are honest and often uplifting chats that go beyond scores and tactics to reveal the personal stories and professional philosophies driving progress. Tuning into this podcast means getting a clearer sense of the people behind the programs, from emerging talents to the seasoned minds guiding them. It’s an ongoing series of conversations that collectively map out the present and future of U.S. soccer, delivered through a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the Cumulus Podcast Network with support from Henkel.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

U.S. Soccer Podcast
Podcast Episodes
100 Days Until the World Cup with Mauricio Pochettino [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
There’s now less than 100 days to go until the World Cup! In this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, host Meghan Klingenberg catches up with US men’s national team head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, to…
What Eddie Pope  learned at 3 World Cups [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:42
Eddie Pope was part of iconic 2002 World Cup team that made a run to the quarterfinals – the best men’s team showing of the modern era. But he was also a part of the 1998 team that was dumped out of the group stages with…
Inside the mind of NWSL coach of the year Bev Yanez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:31
As a player, Bev Yanez was a force. The forward represented teams in Finland, Japan and was a two-time NWSL Shield winner with the Seattle Reign. After Bev’s playing career ended, she started coaching – first as an assis…
Meet new USWNT stars Riley Jackson and Maddie Dahlien [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:07
This time on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, we’re getting to know rising USWNT stars Maddie Dahlien and Riley Jackson. The pair both gained their first caps in the January camp and host Meghan Klingenberg c…
Why Ally Sentnor wants to be the first USWNT player in space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:03
In this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, USWNT dynamo Ally Sentnor shares her views on everything from the pressures of being in the spotlight from a young age, coming through the University of Nor…
Christen Press and I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:56
Christen Press and Meghan Klingenberg go way back. Before World Cup glory in 2015, the pair were Olympic alternates and young pros trying to carve out a career in the Swedish women’s league. In this wide-ranging intervie…
Meet the American with more World Cup goals than Pele [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:25
Alessandro Canale contains multitudes. The beach soccer star has played in 4 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cups, scored 12 World Cup goals, and made over 100 appearances for team USA. But he balances beach soccer with an actin…
Cat Macario talks making history, overcoming injury, and self-worth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:47
Cat Macario is on a hot streak for the USWNT: The forward has scored 3 goals in her last two national team appearances. In this feature interview for the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, Macario discusses her rec…
Offseason Antics with Kelli Hubly | U.S. Soccer Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:54
It’s the offseason for the National Women’s Soccer League, and before the 2026 NWSL season kickoff in February, we catch up with league veteran Kelly Hubly. The Bay FC defender chats with former teammate Meghan Klingenbe…