French Referee Clément Turpin to Officiate Ghana’s World Cup Clash Against Colombia
French referee Clément Turpin has been appointed to officiate Ghana’s Round of 32 encounter against Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the highly anticipated knockout tie set for Saturday, July 4, at Kansas City Stadium.
The 43-year-old is among the most accomplished officials in international football and arrives with an impressive résumé that includes overseeing the 2021 UEFA Europa League final and the 2022 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Turpin has already featured prominently at this year’s World Cup. He took charge of England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia during the group stage and also served as the fourth official for the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
He will be joined by fellow French officials Nicolas Danos and Cyril Gringore as assistant referees. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will also have a French presence, with Jérôme Brisard leading the operation alongside Willy Delajod and Benoît Millot.
The appointment places one of FIFA’s most experienced referees in charge of one of the standout Round of 32 fixtures.
Turpin’s decisions have attracted attention during the tournament, particularly in England’s group-stage victory over Croatia, where he awarded a penalty following a VAR review. The decision generated widespread debate, but the French official continues to enjoy a strong reputation as one of the game’s most trusted referees.
A veteran of both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, Turpin has also officiated numerous UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches, earning recognition for his calm approach and consistency on the biggest stages.
Saturday’s encounter carries enormous significance for both nations. Ghana are aiming to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since their historic run at the 2010 World Cup, while Colombia enter the contest after finishing top of Group K with an unbeaten record.
With a place in the last 16 on the line, the Black Stars will hope Turpin’s experience ensures a well-managed contest as they seek to continue their impressive World Cup campaign against the South Americans.
