Clement Turpin will officiate England's World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia on Wednesday, setting up an intriguing reunion with Thomas Tuchel. The French referee previously sent Tuchel to the stands during Bayern Munich's Champions League clash with Manchester City in April 2023, showing the then-Bayern boss two yellow cards for his protests.

Turpin's performance that night included five first-half cautions and a controversial straight red for Dayot Upamecano's challenge on Erling Haaland. The VAR intervention saved Bayern from playing with ten men, though they still suffered a 4-1 aggregate defeat. Tuchel vented his frustration afterward, branding Turpin a 'Grade E' referee and giving him a 'one out of 10' rating.

The German coach argued that Turpin's officiating derailed Bayern's comeback attempt, claiming 'everything was against us' and they were 'never in a position to turn things around with three men against us.' His scathing assessment raised questions about referee consistency at the highest level.

FIFA's decision to assign Turpin to England's Group L fixture demonstrates confidence in his abilities despite the high-profile criticism. The appointment adds spice to what could be a tense opening match in the United States.