FIFA has appointed the highly regarded French referee Clément Turpin to officiate the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 knockout match between Colombia and Ghana. The game is scheduled for Friday, July 3, 2026, at the iconic GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with kickoff set for late evening local time.
This high-profile assignment places Turpin at the center of one of the most exciting early knockout-stage encounters of the tournament. It pits a technically gifted and tactically disciplined Colombian side against a resilient and physically imposing Ghanaian team eager for a major upset.
Born on May 16, 1982, in Oullins, France, the 44-year-old Turpin stands as one of the most accomplished and respected officials in world football. Standing at 1.76 meters tall, he has built a reputation for calm authority, excellent positioning, and a balanced approach to match management that allows the game to flow naturally while keeping firm control.
His journey to the elite level began in the French domestic leagues, with his Ligue 1 debut coming in 2008. He earned his FIFA international referee badge in 2010 and quickly rose to become a member of UEFA’s Elite group of referees since 2012.
Over the years, Turpin has consistently demonstrated his ability to handle pressure in the biggest arenas, earning widespread praise for his sharp decision-making, composure under scrutiny, and effective yet restrained disciplinary style.
Turpin’s impressive resume includes some of the most prestigious appointments in modern football. He officiated the 2021 UEFA Europa League Final between Villarreal and Manchester United in Gdańsk, Poland, delivering a composed performance in a match that went to penalties. The following year, he reached the absolute pinnacle by taking charge of the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in his home country — a historic moment as the first French referee to handle the showpiece event on home soil. These two back-to-back European finals cemented his status among the world’s best.
On the international stage, Turpin has accumulated extensive experience across multiple major tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups (where he handled a round-of-16 fixture), and UEFA Euro 2024. In the current 2026 World Cup, this assignment marks his third match of the tournament. His assistants will be fellow Frenchmen Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pagès, forming a cohesive and experienced refereeing team.
Throughout his career, Turpin has shown a strong ability to manage physically demanding and emotionally charged matches. He favors preventive officiating and clear communication, which helps maintain the rhythm of play. He has been recognized multiple times as one of France’s top referees and continues to earn global acclaim for his consistency at the highest levels.