French referees Letexier and Turpin selected for 2026 World Cup
French referees Clément Turpin and François Letexier have been selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the French Football Federation has announced. The selection, confirmed by FIFA, sees the two Frenchmen included among the 52 center referees chosen for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Turpin, an experienced official who has taken charge of major European and international finals, will make history with his selection. The 42-year-old will become only the second French referee, after Joël Quiniou, to officiate at three consecutive World Cups, having previously been selected for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Letexier, at 34, will be making his World Cup finals debut.
According to the French Football Federation (FFF), the appointments are a significant achievement for French officiating. FFF President Philippe Diallo welcomed the news, stating in a press release, "This double selection is excellent news for French refereeing and, more broadly, for our football. We can be proud to have two of the world's best referees. The confidence shown by FIFA reflects the quality of French refereeing, sometimes criticized domestically but widely recognized on the international stage." The FFF noted that France is one of only six nations to have two referees selected for the tournament.
In addition to the two lead referees, several French officials will serve in supporting roles. Jérôme Brisard was selected as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), while Nicolas Danos, Cyril Mugnier, Benjamin Pages, and Mehdi Rahmouni have been appointed as assistant referees. The large French contingent highlights the nation's strength in producing elite-level match officials.
The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, will be the largest in the tournament's history, with 104 matches scheduled. The tournament will be the first to be hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The selection of Letexier and Turpin places them among the world's elite officials for the sport's biggest event, with Turpin set to join an exclusive group of referees to have officiated at three separate World Cups.
