Who is England vs Norway referee? Thomas Tuchel faces reunion with official he called 'absolutely terrible' | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel once branded quarter-final ref “1 out of 10” and “grade E” in angry outburst

England are set to take on Norway this weekend for a place in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

After an emotional 3-2 win over Mexico in the last 16, in which the Three Lions played the majority of the second half with 10 men, Thomas Tuchel’s side must now come back to earth as they prepare to face Erling Haaland and Co in Miami.

Norway are riding high after beating Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, but Haaland has been keen to play up England’s tag as “clear favourites” heading into the game.

England, who are looking to reach their second World Cup semi-final in the last three tournaments, are beset by fitness concerns, with Marc Guehi and Declan Rice dealing with injury and illness respectively.

Jarell Quansah has been suspended for the next two games following his red card against Mexico, leaving Tuchel short of options at right-back.

If England beat Norway, they could set up a potential semi-final meeting with fierce rivals Argentina, who take on Switzerland on Sunday morning.

Lose, however, and England will exit the World Cup at the quarter-final stage for the second time in a row.

Who is England vs Norway referee?

Clement Turpin has been appointed by FIFA to take charge of proceedings in Miami.

The Frenchman was the referee for England’s opening group game against Croatia and ordered a retake of Harry Kane’s saved penalty due to goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic coming off his line early and encroachment into the box by Josko Gvardkol.

Regarded as one of the most well-known referees in the game, Turpin was officiating in France’s Ligue 1 at the age of 26. Two years later, he was taking charge of European matches.

In a fiery 2018 Europa League semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, he sent Diego Simeone to the stands early in the first half.

Man in the middle: Clement Turpin will be in charge as England face Norway at the World Cup

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Turpin refereed the 2021 Europa League final and a year later took charge of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Despite his experience at the highest level, Tuchel is unlikely to have been particularly delighted when he was informed that Turpin would referee England’s clash with Croatia.

In a 2023 Champions League quarter-final tie between Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Turpin sent off a furious Tuchel.

The German - then in charge of Bayern - was shown an initial yellow card for sarcastically applauding Turpin and was later dismissed for a further show of dissent.

Speaking after the match, Tuchel said: “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.

History: Thomas Tuchel raged at Turpin following a Champions League fixture back in 2023

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"In the end, we were never in a position to turn things around with three men against us. That's a fact."

Turpin has been the referee for seven England matches in his career so far, the most recent of those before the World Cup was the emphatic 5-0 win for Tuchel’s side away to Serbia last September.

The Frenchman had only once before been in the middle for an England match at a major tournament. That was the 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024.