Thomas Tuchel to Face Referee Clement Turpin in England's World Cup Opener
Published June 14, 2026
England's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign is set to kick off with a Group L encounter against Croatia, but the appointment of French official Clement Turpin as referee has brought a contentious past into focus for England manager Thomas Tuchel.
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The Three Lions are preparing for their opening fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, facing Croatia in what promises to be a highly anticipated clash. However, the selection of Clement Turpin to officiate the match has added an intriguing subplot, given his prior history with England's head coach, Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel, who is at the helm of the England squad looking to make history as the first foreign manager to win the World Cup for a nation, has previously had a fiery confrontation with the French referee. The incident occurred during a UEFA Champions League quarter-final in 2023, where Tuchel, then managing Bayern Munich, was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Following that match, which saw Bayern eliminated by Manchester City, Tuchel reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with Turpin's performance, labeling his officiating as 'terrible'.
That particular fixture was marked by several controversial decisions, including Turpin booking five players in the first half and sending off Bayern's Dayot Upamecano, a decision later overturned by VAR. This history between manager and official is now set to unfold on the biggest stage, as England begins its journey in a tournament featuring 48 teams across 16 venues in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Group L will see England also compete against Ghana and Panama.