Clément Turpin to referee Australia vs Paraguay in World Cup Group D decider

Clément Turpin will referee Australia’s clash with Paraguay at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in California, as both nations fight for second place in Group D at the 2026 World Cup.

The match kicks off at 3am British time in the early hours of Friday morning. USA have already secured top spot in the group, leaving Australia and Paraguay to battle for the remaining Round of 32 berth. Both sides lost heavily to the USMNT but each picked up three points against Turkey.

Turpin is joined by fellow French officials Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pages as assistant referees, while Jamaica’s Oshane Nation will serve as the fourth official. The VAR room is yet to be confirmed.

The 2026 tournament marks Turpin’s third World Cup as a referee, having previously officiated at the 2018 and 2022 editions. Australia vs Paraguay will be his second appointment at this year’s 48-team tournament, following his oversight of England’s 4-2 victory against Croatia.

Across his six World Cup matches to date, Turpin averages a notably low 1.8 bookings per game, though he has awarded four penalties in those six appearances. His record in UEFA Champions League football is more expansive — 74 matches, 41 penalties awarded, and an average of 3.8 bookings per game.