World Cup 2026: Clement Turpin appointed England v Croatia referee in Group L

Clement Turpin has been appointed referee for England’s opening World Cup game against Croatia on Wednesday – and was once branded a “Grade E” official by head coach Thomas Tuchel.

The Frenchman showed then Bayern Munich boss Tuchel two yellow cards in the second leg of the German club’s Champions League quarter-final. Against Manchester City In April 2023, he was sent to the stand.

In the first half at the Allianz Arena, Turpin produced five yellow cards and a straight red card for a last-man challenge on Erling Haaland on Bayern defender Deot Upmechano, but the video assistant referee’s (VAR) offside call overturned the decision.

Bayern’s 4–1 aggregate loss prompted Tuchel to criticize Turpin after the match, saying: “Two things didn’t match the level – the pitch wasn’t in good condition and, unfortunately, the referee was E grade.

“I would have given him one out of 10. He was absolutely terrible. It’s unbelievable at this level.

“He was whistling everything and anything. Everything was against us.

“Ultimately, we were never in a position to turn things around with three guys against us. That’s true.”