Who Is Ismail Elfath? Moroccan-Born American Referee Set To Officiate Brazil vs Norway FIFA World Cup 2026 Game

Five-time World Champions Brazil will look to reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, after missing out on a last-8 berth at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. However, the Selecao will be facing its biggest kryptonite in World football, Norway, whom they have never defeated at the biggest stage.

Norway, meanwhile, has never run so deep in the tournament ever in their FIFA World Cup campaign. However, with Erling Haaland in sublime form, the Vikings will be eyeing a march to the last 8.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Who Will Be Officiating Brazil vs Norway Game?

Ismail Elfath, a Moroccan-born American official, has been appointed to referee the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between Brazil and Norway. The 42-year-old has been on FIFA's list of international referees since 2016.

Elfath's officiating credentials include the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In 2020, he was recognised as the MLS Referee of the Year, underlining his reputation as one of the top referees in North American football.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ismail Elfath was entrusted with officiating two group-stage fixtures and the Round of 16 encounter between Japan and Croatia. He also served as the fourth official for the tournament's showpiece final between Argentina and France.

The 42-year-old has already overseen two matches at the ongoing World Cup, taking charge of the group-stage clashes between Uruguay and Spain, and the Netherlands and Japan.

Throughout his refereeing career, Elfath has officiated 297 matches, issuing 1,065 yellow cards and 33 red cards, an average of 3.59 yellow cards per game. In the current tournament, he has produced two yellow cards and one red card, with the dismissal coming in the Uruguay vs Spain fixture when Agustín Canobbio was sent off following a challenge on Pau Cubarsí.

Full list of match officials in Brazil vs Norway:

• Main Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)
• Assistant Referee 1: Corey Parker (USA)
• Assistant Referee 2: Kyle Atkins (USA)
• Fourth Official: Saíd Martínez (Honduras/Guatemala)