Who is Slavko Vinčić, referee of the 2026 World Cup final?
FIFA has picked Slovenia's Slavko Vinčić to referee the 2026 World Cup final — his second World Cup date with Argentina after the 2022 Saudi Arabia shock.
Spain
Argentina- 120'Final score: Spain 1 - 0 Argentina
- 111'Yellow card: Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina)
- 106'⚽ Goal for Spain (Ferran Torres)
- 102'Substitution: ↑ Marcos Senesi / ↓ Julián Alvarez. (Argentina)
- 99'Substitution: ↑ Eric García / ↓ Aymeric Laporte. (Spain)
- 99'Substitution: ↑ Martín Zubimendi / ↓ Rodri. (Spain)
- 90'Red card: Second yellow card to Enzo Fernández (Argentina)
- 90'Yellow card: Cristian Romero (Argentina)
- 82'Yellow card: Enzo Fernández (Argentina)
- 75'Substitution: ↑ Mikel Merino / ↓ Dani Olmo. (Spain)
- 75'Substitution: ↑ Nico Williams / ↓ Álex Baena. (Spain)
- 70'Substitution: ↑ Giuliano Simeone / ↓ Rodrigo De Paul. (Argentina)
- 70'Substitution: ↑ Facundo Medina / ↓ Cristian Romero because of an injury. (Argentina)
- 62'Substitution: ↑ Pedri / ↓ Fabián Ruiz. (Spain)
- 62'Substitution: ↑ Ferran Torres / ↓ Mikel Oyarzabal. (Spain)
- 58'Substitution: ↑ Nahuel Molina / ↓ Gonzalo Montiel. (Argentina)
- 52'Yellow card: Leandro Paredes (Argentina)
- 45'Second half begins
- 45'Substitution: ↑ Leandro Paredes / ↓ Nico González. (Argentina)
- 45'Half-time
- 45'Half-time
- 44'Substitution: ↑ Nicolás Otamendi / ↓ Lisandro Martínez because of an injury. (Argentina)
- 41'Yellow card: Lisandro Martínez (Argentina)
- 0'Kick-off
- 0'Kick-off
It will be a first for Slovenia: FIFA has appointed Slavko Vinčić to referee the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, making him the first Slovenian — and the 23rd person in history — to take charge of a World Cup final.
A second World Cup date with Argentina
This won't be Vinčić's first World Cup encounter with Argentina. Back in 2022 in Qatar, he refereed the Albiceleste's shock 1-2 group-stage defeat to Saudi Arabia, a match remembered for six yellow cards shown in the final 37 minutes — and widely seen as the turning point that sparked Argentina's run to the title. Four years on, he meets Argentina again, this time for the tournament's final match.
A résumé built for the big occasion
A FIFA international referee since 2010, Vinčić is no stranger to major finals. He took charge of the 2022 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, and the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. He has already refereed Spain before, in the Euro 2024 semi-final against France. This World Cup final will be his fourth assignment of the 2026 tournament, following Brazil vs Morocco and Jordan vs Algeria in the group stage, and Mexico vs Ecuador in the round of 32.
An all-Slovenian officiating team
Vinčić will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič, with Jordan's Adham Makhadmeh serving as fourth official.
Humble beginnings
Born on 25 November 1979 in Maribor, Vinčić wasn't destined for refereeing at first — basketball was his first love. It was his uncle, himself an assistant referee, who encouraged him to take up the whistle at age 20. He made his debut in Slovenia's top flight in 2007, earned his FIFA badge three years later, and has since climbed every rung to the top of world football.
