FIFA has officially appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. This prestigious appointment puts one of Europe’s elite referees to the ultimate test of his career.
The final match will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium, commercially known as MetLife Stadium. Global anticipation is reaching its peak as the reigning Euro 2024 champions, Spain, face off against the 2022 World Cup champions, Argentina.
Vinčić’s selection comes as no surprise given his extensive high-level experience. The Slovenian referee previously officiated the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, the 2022 UEFA Europa League Final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, and has participated in both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
Who is Slavko Vinčić? Biography & Career
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Full Name: Slavko Vinčić
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Place of Birth: Maribor, Slovenia
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Age: 46 years old
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International Referee Since: 2010
In Europe, Vinčić cemented his status as an elite UEFA referee through years of outstanding performances in the Champions League and Europa League. According to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Vinčić has refereed over 50 Champions League matches—a milestone that explains why FIFA trusted him with this high-stakes final.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Refereeing Team
Vinčić will lead a predominantly Slovenian officiating crew, with a notable Jordanian presence on the pitch:
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Main Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
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First Assistant: Tomaž Klančnik (Slovenia)
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Second Assistant: Andraž Kovačič (Slovenia)
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Fourth Official: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
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Reserve Assistant Referee: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (Jordan)
Slavko Vinčić’s Matches in World Cup 2026
Prior to the final, Vinčić successfully officiated three key matches in the 2026 tournament:
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Brazil vs. Morocco (Group Stage) – Ended in a 1-1 draw.
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Jordan vs. Algeria (Group Stage) – Algeria won 2-1.
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Mexico vs. Ecuador (Round of 32) – Mexico won 2-0.
The final will mark his fourth match of the 2026 tournament, representing a natural progression for a referee who earned FIFA’s complete trust.
History with Argentina: A Historic Memory
Vinčić is famously remembered by Argentine fans. He officiated the historic match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup, where the Green Falcons pulled off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history by winning 2-1.
During that match, the Slovenian referee awarded an early penalty to Argentina, scored by Lionel Messi, before Saudi Arabia turned the game around in the second half. Ultimately, that defeat served as a wake-up call for Argentina on their path to winning the trophy.
History with Spain
Vinčić has a balanced track record when refereeing Spain. He notably managed the Spain vs. Sweden group stage match in Euro 2020 (played in Seville, ending in a 0-0 draw), delivering a calm and controlled performance.
He has also refereed numerous games for top Spanish clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. However, he was recently a subject of debate after sending off Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga in last season’s Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich.
