Overview
- FIFA named French referee Clément Turpin to take charge of England’s Group L curtain‑raiser against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17, with assistants Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pages.
- Turpin is an experienced international official who has refereed the 2021 Europa League final, the 2022 Champions League final and matches at multiple European Championships and World Cups.
- Turpin’s 2023 Champions League quarter‑final at the Allianz Arena saw him send Thomas Tuchel to the stands after issuing multiple first‑half bookings and a straight red that VAR later overturned for offside.
- The referee also physically intervened with England midfielder Jude Bellingham during a 2024 Champions League penalty incident when Bellingham approached Harry Kane, a moment that drew significant attention.
- Former refereeing chief Keith Hackett has warned that Turpin acts quickly with disciplinary action, so England will need to manage player behaviour to avoid cards and potential disruption to the match flow.