Howard Webb is still in with a chance of refereeing the World Cup final after he was one of 10 referees retained by FIFA today until the end of the tournament.
The Yorkshire official has impressed FIFA's referees chiefs but he was not one of the officials appointed to either of the semi-finals today.
Webb, who turns 39 two days after the July 12 final in Johannesburg, and his team of Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey will however stay on in South Africa - nine of the 19 teams have been sent home.
FIFA will announce the final referee on Thursday or Friday, and Webb's chances may have increased by the fact that two of his main rivals have been given a semi-final.
Ravshan Irmatov, from Uzbekistan, will take charge of Uruguay v Holland in Cape Town. Irmatov impressed greatly during Germany's 4-0 win over Argentina but it is unprecedented for a semi-final referee to take charge of a final.
Hungarian official Viktor Kassai will referee the Germany v Spain semi-final in Durban.
Webb's team have not put a foot wrong so far.
Cann got a tight call to rule out a Fabio Quagliarella equaliser for Italy against Slovakia spot on, while Mullarkey was praised for his decision to allow Luis Fabiano's goal for Brazil against Chile.
Webb's chances may be diminished by there being three European sides left in the last four, but it remains possible as in 2002 Italy's Pierluigi Collina was chosen to referee the final between Brazil and Germany.
Among the other referees retained, perhaps Webb's biggest rival is Mexico's Benito Archundia Tellez.
