French referee Clément Turpin to officiate Ghana's clash with Colombia
French referee Clément Turpin has been appointed to oversee Ghana's highly anticipated Round of 32 clash against Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday at Kansas City Stadium.
The 43-year-old, regarded as one of Europe's most respected match officials, will take charge of the knockout fixture as the Black Stars bid to secure a place in the last 16 for the first time since their memorable run at the 2010 tournament.
Turpin brings a wealth of experience to the encounter, having officiated at the highest level of both European and international football.
His résumé includes the 2021 UEFA Europa League final and the 2022 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, while he has also featured at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
The French official has already been involved at this year's tournament. He refereed England's 4-2 victory over Croatia during the group stage and also served as the fourth official for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
He will be assisted by fellow French officials Nicolas Danos and Cyril Gringore, while Jérôme Brisard will head the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team alongside Willy Delajod and Benoît Millot.
Turpin's performances at the tournament have not been without scrutiny. His decision to award England a penalty following a VAR review in their group-stage win over Croatia sparked widespread debate, although he continues to be regarded as one of FIFA's most reliable and consistent referees.
Known for his composed approach and ability to manage high-pressure matches, Turpin has officiated numerous UEFA Champions League and Europa League fixtures and remains one of the governing body's most experienced officials.
Saturday's contest is expected to be one of the standout ties of the Round of 32. Ghana are seeking to extend their impressive World Cup campaign and reach the knockout stage's next phase, while Colombia arrive full of confidence after topping Group K without suffering defeat.