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Clement Turpin to Ref England-Croatia Opener Amid Tuchel Criticism

6/15/2026

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Summary

Turpin Referees England

Clement Turpin will referee England’s Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
Turpin sent manager Thomas Tuchel to the stands after two yellow cards in Champions League second leg.
Turpin issued five yellows and a straight red to Dayot Upamecano, which VAR later overturned.
Tuchel rated Turpin ‘Grade E’ and gave him one of ten.
Jude Bellingham clashed with Turpin when the referee pushed him away in a 2024 Champions League semi-final.

Summary

England Opens

England open the 2026 World Cup against Croatia at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday, beginning Group L.
Group L also includes Ghana and Panama, giving England a route to end a 60-year major-trophy drought.
If Thomas Tuchel wins, he would be the first foreign-born manager to lift the World Cup for England, while referee Clement Turpin, the 2025 world’s best, has overseen six England matches.

Summary

Turpin Officiates England

FIFA confirmed French referee Clément Turpin will officiate Croatia’s Group L opener against England on Wednesday.
He will be assisted by Nicolas Danos, Benjamin Pagès and fourth official Katia García.
Croatia has won all four matches Turpin previously refereed, keeping a perfect record.
He joined FIFA’s international list in 2010 and refereed the 2022 UEFA Champions League final.

History

Historical Context

In the 2006 World Cup, English referee Graham Poll mistakenly issued three yellow cards to Croatia’s Josip Šimunic before finally sending him off, prompting FIFA to dismiss Poll from the tournament and end his international officiating career. The England-Croatia match highlighted officiating errors that continue to shape discussions on improving referee standards.

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Turpin Referees England

Clement Turpin will referee England’s Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
Turpin sent manager Thomas Tuchel to the stands after two yellow cards in Champions League second leg.
Turpin issued five yellows and a straight red to Dayot Upamecano, which VAR later overturned.
Tuchel rated Turpin ‘Grade E’ and gave him one of ten.
Jude Bellingham clashed with Turpin when the referee pushed him away in a 2024 Champions League semi-final.

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