François Letexier

François Letexier, born 23 April 1989 in Bédée, France, is a top-tier football referee who officiates in Ligue 1 and UEFA competitions. He holds a FIFA badge and is classified as a UEFA Elite Category referee. At 37, he is known for his calm authority and sharp decision-making on the pitch, balancing his refereeing career with work as a judicial officer in Rennes.[edit]

Letexier grew up in Brittany and played football as a youth, but realized early that his path lay in officiating rather than playing. He studied law and became a judicial officer, a profession he still practices alongside refereeing. His first steps in refereeing came in France's lower regional and national divisions, where his calm temperament and quick decisions stood out. He earned rapid promotions, debuting in Ligue 2 before making his Ligue 1 debut in 2016. A year later, he received his FIFA international badge, marking his entry onto the world stage.[edit]

Letexier's breakthrough came with his Ligue 1 debut in 2016. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning his FIFA badge in 2017 and promotion to UEFA Elite Category by 2020. In 2022, he refereed the French Cup final between OGC Nice and FC Nantes. The following year, he officiated the UEFA Super Cup, where Manchester City beat Sevilla on penalties. His biggest assignment came in 2024, when he was selected to referee the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, making him one of the youngest referees ever to handle the match. That same year, he officiated at UEFA Euro 2024 and the Olympic men's football final between Spain and France. He continues to oversee top Ligue 1 and Champions League matches, having handled over 150 Ligue 1 games and more than 40 UEFA club competitions. He won the UNFP Best Ligue 1 Referee award for the 2023-2024 season and was recognized by France Football as Referee of the Year in 2024.[edit]

Letexier is known for his calm, authoritative style on the pitch. He lets the game flow but is strict on serious fouls and dissent. French and European media respect his composure and consistency, often portraying him as a model modern referee. Fans and players alike praise his fairness. His social media voice is professional and reserved, mostly sharing matchday content. He has been featured on the covers of L'Équipe and France Football following major matches.[edit]

Global attention for François Letexier has expanded significantly following his high-profile assignments in elite European competitions and the 2026 World Cup. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, he is currently the 66th most famous person from France, a position holding steady from the previous cycle. This placement reflects a surge in international visibility driven by his officiating duties and subsequent media coverage of major tournament incidents. The ranking data tracks global attention across diverse media channels and public engagement metrics worldwide. Despite this elevated profile, his audience remains distinct; there is no documented fandom name for Letexier. His supporters consist primarily of football enthusiasts and national observers whose engagement is reactive to match outcomes rather than a dedicated following for him as a personality. Unlike celebrities with organized fan clubs, Letexier faces intense scrutiny and polarization, particularly after controversial decisions, with interactions often characterized by adversarial exchanges rather than camaraderie.[edit]

François Letexier stands approximately 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) tall and speaks fluent French and English, essential assets for his role as a FIFA referee. He is a qualified judicial officer working as a magistrate in Rennes, balancing his refereeing career with legal duties. At age 35 in 2024, he became one of the youngest referees to officiate a Champions League final. Before his current career, he played youth football but switched paths due to a lack of elite potential. His Instagram account, @francois.letexier, features matchday content and rare family moments, garnering around 45,000 followers. A defining moment in his career occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Egypt versus Argentina match. Following a 3-2 victory for Argentina, Letexier faced furious backlash over a disallowed Egyptian goal and contentious foul calls. The controversy escalated to the point where Egyptian authorities refused to accept the exit, demanding a full investigation into potential bias. Consequently, FIFA removed Letexier from the remainder of the tournament due to security risks and overwhelming pressure. This event transformed him from a competent official into a polarizing figure, creating a modern legend of a referee whose decisions sparked a diplomatic crisis.[edit]

Letexier is married to Morgane Letexier. The couple has two children: a son named Liam and a daughter named Mia. They live in the Rennes area. Letexier keeps his family life private, rarely sharing details in interviews. His Instagram account occasionally features rare family moments.[edit]

Letexier is associated with fellow French referee Clément Turpin, who has served as a mentor. He has worked alongside UEFA elite referees like Daniele Orsato. He frequently officiates matches involving top players like Kylian Mbappé and managers like Carlo Ancelotti.[edit]

Letexier is married to Morgane Letexier. The couple has been together for several years, having started their relationship before his rise to fame. They have two children, Liam and Mia, and live in the Rennes area. There are no public records of any other romantic relationships. As of 2026, he remains married to Morgane.[edit]

iFANN Editorial Team analysis places François Letexier's net worth at $2.5 Million in 2026. This valuation combines his earnings as an elite referee with his income as a judicial officer. Top-level French referees receive a base salary of approximately €8,000–€12,000 per month from the French Football Federation, alongside match fees ranging from €3,000–€5,000 for Ligue 1 games and €5,000–€10,000 for UEFA Champions League fixtures. His position as a magistrate in Rennes contributes an additional €3,000–€5,000 monthly. Letexier holds no known major endorsement deals or business ventures, with his wealth growing steadily since his Ligue 1 debut in 2016.[edit]

Letexier won the UNFP Best Ligue 1 Referee award for the 2023-2024 season. He was also recognized as France Football Referee of the Year in 2024 for his performances on the biggest stages.[edit]