American soccer ref Ismael Elfath retires after World Cup semifinal spot
Prominent American soccer referee Ismael Elfath has announced his retirement from professional officiating following a distinguished career. Elfath, who officiated a 2022 World Cup semifinal, cited a desire to spend more time with his family as a primary reason for stepping down.
Why it matters
Elfath is considered one of the most successful American referees in history, and his retirement marks a transition point for US representation in international soccer officiating.
Hear this story As referee Ismail Elfath and assistant referees Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins prepared to oversee their final match as a crew together, they broke their huddle out shouting the same thing they have for the last decade, "Best in the world."
That slogan, too, adorned the gift Elfath's assistants gave him, a framed photo of the coin toss ahead of the World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England.
The two-time MLS Referee of the Year is retiring from professional officiating, he announced Sunday, Oct. 11, the day after calling Austin FC's 4-1 loss to Nashville SC in his Texas hometown. He is doing it confident he lived up to that motto.
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