French referee Clément Turpin will oversee Ghana’s Round of 32 match against Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game takes place on Saturday, July 4, at Kansas City Stadium.
At 43, Turpin is considered one of Europe’s top referees. He has handled major games like the 2021 UEFA Europa League final and the 2022 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Turpin has stood out at the 2026 World Cup, especially during England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in the group stage. He was also the fourth official for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
Turpin will work with fellow French officials Nicolas Danos and Cyril Gringore. Jérôme Brisard will lead the VAR team, with support from Willy Delajod and Benoît Millot.
Turpin’s appointment adds extra interest to this high-stakes match. Earlier in the tournament, he made headlines by awarding England a penalty against Croatia after a VAR review, a decision that sparked much debate.
Even with the recent controversy, Turpin is still seen as one of the top referees in football. He has worked at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and has officiated many Champions League and Europa League matches.
Saturday’s match is crucial for both teams. Ghana hopes to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 2010. Colombia aims to continue their strong run after topping Group K in the group stage.
The Black Stars are counting on Turpin’s experience to help keep the match fair as they try to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
