LAFC - Philadelphia Union: Who is Ismail Elfath, the referee for the 2022 MLS Cup final?

Ismail Elfath will take charge of the 2022 MLS Cup final between LAFC and Philadelphia Union at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday 5 November (4pm ET).

For the final on Saturday, he will be assisted by referees Corey Rockwell and Ian Anderson. Joe Dickerson is the fourth official, with Drew Fischer and Jeff Muschik as VAR and AVAR. Jeffrey Greeson is the reserve assistant referee.

Elfath is a two-time MLS Referee of the Year - and refereed the MLS is Back Tournament Final in 2020 – the same season he received his first Referee of the Year award before winning the accolade again in 2022.

He’s also taken charge of three previous Conference Finals and refereed the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, as well as at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Rockwell has been on the FIFA panel since 2007 and officiated at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as taking charge of 340 MLS regular-season games over the last 18 years. He was voted MLS Assistant Referee of the Year for the second time this campaign, having picked up the accolade in 2011.

Anderson joined the FIFA panel in 2017 and won the MLS Assistant Referee of the Year in 2012. He officiated the US Open Cup Final in 2015 and MLS Cup in 2018.

At the Banc of California Stadium, Dickerson will be the fourth official. He took charge of the MLS All-Star Game in August and also worked alongside Elfath as the fourth official for the MLS is Back Tournament Final two years ago.

World Cup referees

Elfath and Fischer have been named as part of the six PRO officials who have been selected to officiate at this month’s World Cup.

LAFC advanced to the MLS Cup final by beating Austin FC 3-0 to win the Western Conference title, while the Union defeated New York City 3-1 to win the Eastern Conference.