Experienced French referee Clement Turpin will take charge of the Group D finale between Australia and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with both sides fighting for a place in the Round of 32.

The two teams arrive at this fixture in similar circumstances. Each suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the United States — who have already secured top spot in Group D — yet both bounced back to claim three points against Turkey. The second-place berth therefore remains up for grabs.

The referee

The match kicks off at 3am British time at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in California. Turpin will be assisted by his compatriots Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pages, while Jamaica's Oshane Nation will serve as fourth official.

Turpin is no stranger to the biggest stage in football. The Frenchman has now officiated at three FIFA World Cup tournaments — 2018, 2022, and the current 48-team edition in North America. Australia vs Paraguay marks his second assignment as a referee at the 2026 World Cup, having previously overseen England's 4-2 victory against Croatia.

Turpin's record at World Cups

Across six World Cup matches prior to this fixture, Turpin has maintained a remarkably low average of 1.8 bookings per game. However, he has shown a willingness to point to the spot, awarding four penalties across those six appearances.

His extensive experience in club football reflects a contrasting profile. In 74 UEFA Champions League matches, Turpin has awarded 41 penalties and averaged 3.8 bookings per game — figures that suggest he applies a stricter standard at club level than on the international stage.

Both Australia and Paraguay will be keenly aware of the stakes: only one of them can advance alongside the United States from Group D.