Premier League referee Michael Oliver, along with fellow countryman Anthony Taylor, will not be permitted to officiate the semifinal thanks to England punching their ticket to the final four of the 2026 World Cup.England's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring a tying goal in the first half against Norway.(Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)Whether the Three Lions advance to the finals or not is a moot point as well, as Oliver and Taylor's World Cup journey has come to an end because of something out of their control.ENGLAND STUNS MEXICO 3-2 IN INSTANT WORLD CUP CLASSIC, HANDS TEAM FIRST WORLD CUP LOSS AT ESTADIO AZTECAReferees are forbidden from officiating a match involving their home country, and, because they cannot be assigned to a match that has a direct consequence for their home country in the next round, the two Englishmen are exempt from officiating the Spain and France semifinal as well.For Oliver, the ban means missing out on a massive payday, as referees who made it through the entire tournament would be in line to make off with a sum north of $100,000 with bonuses added for officiating matches in the final stages of the World Cup.Lionel Messi and Argentina had to get through Switzerland to continue their quest for back-to-back World Cup titles.
(MB Media/Getty Images)Oliver has officiated four matches at this year's World Cup, including his most recent fixture being the Spain vs.Belgium quarterfinal.MESSI, ARGENTINA AVOID A SHOCKING UPSET IN WILD KNOCKOUT STAGE MATCH AGAINST CAPE VERDEEngland's opponent adds a little extra gasoline to the fire as well, given the geopolitical implications between the two nations stemming from the Falklands War of the early 1980s.Though the conflict is over four decades old, the subject is a touchy one whenever England and Argentina have taken the pitch for the last 40-plus years.Diego Maradona of Argentina holds the World Cup trophy after defeating West Germany 3-2 during the 1986 FIFA World Cup Final match at the...