French referee Clément Turpin has been appointed to officiate Ghana’s Round of 32 match against Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the knockout encounter scheduled for Saturday, 4 July, at Kansas City Stadium.
The 43-year-old is regarded as one of the world’s leading match officials and brings extensive experience to one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.
Turpin’s distinguished career includes officiating the 2021 UEFA Europa League final and the 2022 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, while he has also been a regular presence in major UEFA and FIFA competitions.
The Frenchman has already played a prominent role at this year’s World Cup. He took charge of England’s 4-2 group-stage victory over Croatia and also served as the fourth official during the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
He will be assisted by compatriots Nicolas Danos and Cyril Gringore, while Jérôme Brisard will head the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team alongside Willy Delajod and Benoît Millot, completing an all-French officiating crew.
Turpin’s appointment reflects FIFA’s confidence in one of its most experienced referees to oversee a high-profile knockout contest.
His performances at the tournament have already attracted attention, particularly during England’s win over Croatia, where he awarded a penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor following a VAR review.
Although the decision sparked debate, Turpin remains widely respected for his composure and consistency in major international matches.
A veteran of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, he has officiated numerous UEFA Champions League and Europa League fixtures and is considered among the elite officials in world football.
Saturday’s meeting carries significant stakes for both sides. Ghana are seeking to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since their memorable run to the quarter-finals in 2010, while Colombia arrive after topping Group K without suffering defeat.
With a place in the last 16 at stake, the Black Stars will be hoping for a well-managed contest as they attempt to extend their impressive World Cup campaign against the South American side.
