The Referee Tuchel Called 'Grade E' Gets England's World Cup Opener

France's Clement Turpin will referee England's World Cup 2026 match against Croatia—the same official Thomas Tuchel once branded 'absolutely terrible' and rated '1 out of 10' after a Champions League meltdown in Munich.

Turpin's Resume

• Major Finals2021 Europa League, 2022 Champions League
• England HistoryEuro 2024 vs Slovenia (0-0)
• Tuchel's Rating1/10 'Grade E'
• ReputationOne of Europe's finest officials

The Munich Meltdown

Turpin's appointment will raise eyebrows in the England camp—not because of his ability, but because of his explosive history with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.

In April 2023, during Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City at the Allianz Arena, Tuchel utterly lost his composure with Turpin's officiating. The French referee brandished five yellow cards in the first half alone and initially sent off Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano with a straight red for a last-man challenge on Erling Haaland—though VAR overturned it due to offside.

Tuchel didn't hold back afterwards: 'Two things couldn't keep up with the level—the pitch wasn't in good condition and also the referee, unfortunately, was Grade E. I'd give him a one out of 10. He was absolutely terrible. It's unbelievable at this level.'

'He was whistling for everything and anything. Everything was against us. In the end, we were never in a position to turn things around with three men against us. That's a fact,' Tuchel added, seething at what he saw as inconsistent decision-making that derailed Bayern's comeback hopes.

The Bellingham Confrontation

Tuchel isn't the only figure in this England squad with Turpin history. Jude Bellingham knows the Frenchman's no-nonsense approach firsthand.

During a Champions League clash, Turpin firmly shut down Bellingham's attempts to unsettle Harry Kane around the penalty spot—a moment that showcased the referee's willingness to manage even the game's biggest stars when gamesmanship crosses the line.

That decisiveness is precisely why Turpin, despite the Tuchel theatrics, remains one of UEFA's most trusted officials for high-stakes matches.

Why Turpin Gets the Big Games

For all the controversy in Munich, Turpin's CV speaks for itself. He officiated the 2021 Europa League final and the 2022 Champions League final—assignments reserved for Europe's elite referees.

He also took charge of England's goalless draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024, a match that passed without major incident and demonstrated his ability to manage tournament pressure.

UEFA's decision to hand him England's World Cup opener against Croatia signals confidence in his temperament and experience. This is a fixture loaded with historical weight—a rematch of sorts following their Euro 2020 group-stage meeting—and Turpin has been entrusted to keep it under control.

Whether Tuchel has warmed to him since that night in Munich remains to be seen. What's certain: the England boss will be watching Turpin as closely as he watches Croatia.

What to Watch

Tuchel's Touchline Behavior (Subplot)

Will the England manager keep his cool, or will old grievances resurface if calls go against the Three Lions?

Bellingham's Discipline (Key Player)

Turpin has already shown he won't tolerate Bellingham's darker arts. The Real Madrid star will need to stay smart.

Turpin's Yellow Card Threshold (Officiating Style)

Five bookings in 45 minutes against City suggests a low tolerance for dissent and tactical fouls—expect tight control.

FAQ

Yes. Turpin officiated England's 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024, a match that passed without major controversy or talking points.

After Bayern Munich's 2023 Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City, Tuchel accused Turpin of whistling 'for everything and anything,' issuing five yellow cards in the first half and nearly sending off Dayot Upamecano before VAR intervened. Tuchel rated his performance '1 out of 10.'

Absolutely. Turpin has officiated the 2021 Europa League final and 2022 Champions League final, two of the biggest club fixtures in European football. UEFA clearly considers him one of the continent's top referees.

During a Champions League match, Turpin firmly dealt with Bellingham's attempts to distract Harry Kane before a penalty, demonstrating his willingness to manage even elite players when they overstep.