Slovenian Slavko Vinčić to Referee World Cup Final as FIFA Picks a European for Argentina-Spain Game
The Slovenian official brings Champions League final experience and has shown seven yellow cards and one red at the 2026 tournament.
- FIFA appointed 46-year-old Slovenian official Slavko Vincic to referee the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the governing body announced late Thursday. He will lead the officiating team at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- A FIFA-listed official since 2010, Vincic brings extensive experience from 50 Champions League matches, including the 2024 final. He has overseen 11 major international tournament games across two World Cups and six Euros.
- Authorities confirmed Vincic was never implicated in any criminal activity following a 2020 police raid in Bosnia. Recently, he sent off Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie during the round of 32 for covering his mouth during a confrontation.
- Spain remains unbeaten in five matches with Vincic, while Argentina has only encountered him once. Lionel Messi said the final will be "special" and "very closely matched," according to FIFA.
- The final kicks off on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Vincic will be supported by assistant referees Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, both Slovenian officials.
242 Articles
242 Articles
The 46-year-old Slovenian referee will be in charge of the most important match of this World Cup
When stars like Lionel Messi and Lamin Yamal take the field at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Vincic will have an equally important responsibility. Vincic wants the biggest football match to be decided solely by the players' performances, not by any controversy.
Revealed: Why Argentina fans are worried about World Cup final referee appointment as Slavko Vincic gets Spain clash – despite backlash against holders’ for their ‘rigged’ run so far
Argentina fans have been put on red alert after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic was appointed to officiate Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Lionel Messi is chasing a second successive World Cup title after leading Argentina to the New York showpiece, amid allegations of favouritism from officials during the tournament. On Wednesday, FIFA appointed Vincic to take charge of the final at MetLife Stadium. He will be joined by co…
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Who is the referee for World Cup final?
It's the second straight World Cup final where Argentina will have a European referee to face a European opponent.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has been appointed as the main referee of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. He was informed by the president of the FIFA refereeing committee, Pierluigi Collina, and the 46-year-old Slovenian could not hide his emotions after learning of the decision that represents the highlight of his career. The final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday from 9:00 p.m., and Vincic will be a…
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