By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
French referee Clément Turpin has been officially named the Men’s World Best Referee of 2025 by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), marking a historic achievement for French officiating.
The 43-year-old UEFA Elite referee topped the prestigious annual ranking with 65 points, earning praise from the IFFHS for his “exceptional performances in continental competitions, demonstrating mastery, calm, and remarkable positioning.” This is Turpin’s first time claiming the award, after consistently finishing in the top 10 since 2019—including third place in both 2022 and 2023, and fourth in 2024.
In a remarkable double for France, Turpin’s compatriot François Letexier—the 2024 winner—secured second place with 55 points, tying with Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, a two-time previous recipient (2022 and 2023).
IFFHS Men’s World Best Referee Top 10 for 2025
- Clément Turpin (France) – 65 points
- François Letexier (France) – 55 points
- Szymon Marciniak (Poland) – 55 points
- István Kovács (Romania) – 54 points
- Michael Oliver (England) – 53 points
- Felix Zwayer (Germany) – 45 points
- Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia) – 41 points
- Alireza Faghani (Australia) – 25 points
- Maurizio Mariani (Italy) – 25 points
- Sandro Schärer (Switzerland) – 12 points
Turpin, who has been a FIFA-listed official since 2010, has officiated some of football’s biggest matches, including the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, the 2021 Europa League Final, fixtures at UEFA Euro 2024, and matches at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Looking ahead, Turpin is among the pre-selected candidates for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico), alongside fellow Frenchman Letexier. The final list of referees is expected to be announced in early 2026 following confederation seminars.
The IFFHS award, established in 1987, is one of the most respected recognitions in football officiating, based on performances across international and continental competitions. While opinions among fans vary—particularly regarding domestic league decisions—the ranking emphasizes excellence on the global stage.
This French 1-2 finish underscores the growing influence of French referees in world football, following Letexier’s victory last year. Congratulations to Clément Turpin on this well-deserved honour!.
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