FIFA has appointed experienced French referee Clément Turpin to officiate Ghana’s Round of 32 showdown against Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars take on the South Americans at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake.
Turpin is among the most highly regarded referees in world football and brings a wealth of experience to the high-pressure encounter. The 43-year-old has previously officiated the UEFA Champions League final, Europa League final and matches at both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
The French official has also impressed during the ongoing tournament, overseeing England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the group stage and serving as the fourth official during the 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, assisted by Willy Delajod and Benoît Millot.
Turpin’s appointment comes after he attracted attention earlier in the tournament for awarding England a penalty against Croatia following a VAR review, a decision that generated widespread debate.
Despite that controversy, the Frenchman remains one of FIFA’s most trusted match officials and has regularly been selected for major international fixtures.
The Black Stars will be hoping Turpin and his officiating team deliver a fair contest as Ghana chase a place in the Round of 16 for the first time since their memorable run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.