‘It can all end with one bad game’: the highs and lows of a World Cup referee

Even the finest miss out on a place at the finals and for those who do get there, decisions can make or break a dream Ismail Elfath was taking his children to the park near his home in Texas when a message arrived. “Congratulations,” it read. Elfath hugged his wife. Fifa had selected him for his second World Cup. Relief and pride swept over him. “Going to a World Cup is the dream of every referee, but going to a second one means you have stayed consistent for eight years plus,” he said. For referees, the World Cup is the pinnacle. The tournament comes around only every four years, and only a t

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