Ismail Elfath, England and Argentina
Tuesday before the World Cup semi-final

FIFA has appointed American referee Ismail Elfath to take charge of England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta. Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins will be assistant referees, with Maurizio Mariani named fourth official.

Elfath has already handled three matches at this tournament, including Norway’s win over Brazil. FIFA regulations also ruled English and Argentine officials out of the final because of nationality and political conflict-of-interest rules.

Atlanta Police, England and Argentina
Tuesday before Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final

Authorities say extra security will be in place for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta. Police cited increased visitor numbers and historical tensions between the two countries before the first World Cup meeting since 2002.

Atlanta Police said additional personnel and resources are being deployed around venues, entertainment districts and busy areas. Argentine war veterans also urged fans to separate football passion from politics linked to the Falklands dispute.

Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo
Tuesday

Al-Nassr are reportedly facing a liquidity shortage that has delayed salary payments to first-team players and halted transfer activity. The issue has surfaced during pre-season despite the Saudi club’s heavy spending since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival.

Reports say some players received only part of their June wages, while recruitment plans have been paused. The cash-flow problem could disrupt Al-Nassr’s squad build-up and raise questions about Saudi clubs’ spending sustainability.

Folarin Balogun and Klutch Sports
Monday

United States forward Folarin Balogun has signed with Klutch Sports after a breakout World Cup campaign. The Monaco striker becomes the first footballer to sign directly with the agency founded by LeBron James’ business partner Rich Paul.

Balogun scored three goals as the USMNT reached the round of 16 and became one of the tournament’s most discussed players after his suspended red-card ban. Klutch says it sees him as a major global football figure.

South African police and Jayden Adams
Monday

Police in Cape Town have opened an inquest after South Africa World Cup player Jayden Adams was found dead at a property over the weekend. Authorities have not released a cause of death for the 25-year-old.

Adams’ family is awaiting autopsy results, while South Africa’s sports minister asked the public not to speculate. The midfielder had played in all three group matches as South Africa reached the World Cup knockouts for the first time.

Rob Dieperink, KNVB and FIFA
Monday

Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died aged 38, weeks after being removed from FIFA’s World Cup officials list. He had been selected as a VAR for the tournament before being dropped following a UK police investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said the sexual-assault case against him was closed because the evidential threshold was not met after enquiries. KNVB and FIFA paid tribute to Dieperink, whose cause of death has not been disclosed.

Croatia and Slaven Bilic
Monday

Croatia have appointed Slaven Bilic as national-team head coach for a second spell after Zlatko Dalic stepped down following their World Cup exit. The HNS executive committee unanimously approved the move after a proposal from president Marijan Kustic.

Bilic previously managed Croatia from 2006 to 2012, leading them to two European Championships and major qualification campaigns. His return gives the federation an experienced replacement after Dalic’s nine-year reign ended with a last-32 defeat to Portugal.

Diego Forlán, Uruguay and Marcelo Bielsa
Monday

Uruguay’s Football Association is in advanced talks with Diego Forlán to become interim national-team head coach after Marcelo Bielsa stepped down following Uruguay’s group-stage World Cup exit. The proposal would also give Forlán control of the country’s under-20 side.

AUF president Diego Alonso said talks with Forlán have gone well and the former striker is excited by the challenge. Uruguay want him to oversee six friendlies before naming a permanent manager after federation elections or in early 2027.

Mariano Rajoy, France Football Federation and French politicians
Sunday before France face Spain

Former Spain prime minister Mariano Rajoy has been criticised for racist remarks about France’s squad after writing that the team had no French players. French ministers, the French embassy in Madrid and FFF president Philippe Diallo condemned the comments.

The row adds political tension before France’s World Cup semi-final against Spain and follows racist comments aimed at Kylian Mbappe by a Paraguayan senator. France officials argued all selected players are French and called for legal action or formal condemnation.

FIFA and FIFPRO
During the World Cup after England-Norway in Miami

FIFA and global players’ union FIFPRO are discussing stronger heat protocols after England’s quarter-final against Norway began in extreme conditions. ESPN sources said FIFPRO wants agreed rules for excessive heat, with the Miami WBGT recorded above its recommended cut-off.

Current FIFA rules only mandate hydration breaks at a higher WBGT level, while FIFPRO recommends delaying or postponing matches above 28C WBGT. The talks could shape future tournaments, especially after several 2026 games pushed player and fan safety concerns.