FIFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, making him the first official from Slovenia to take charge of football’s biggest match.
The match will be played on Sunday, July 19, at the New York–New Jersey Stadium, bringing together two of the tournament’s strongest teams in a battle for football’s biggest prize.
The appointment marks the highest point of Vinčić’s refereeing career and places him among a select group of match officials trusted to oversee the World Cup final.
FIFA announced the decision after the conclusion of the semi-finals, confirming that the 46-year-old referee would handle the championship match following another impressive tournament on the global stage.
Vinčić to Officiate World Cup Final
The appointment is a major milestone for Vinčić and for Slovenia.
The 46-year-old will become the first Slovenian referee to officiate a FIFA World Cup final.
Speaking after receiving the news, Vinčić described the appointment as an incredible honour and said it was a dream for any referee to control the final of the world’s biggest sporting event.
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He paid tribute to his officiating team and family, saying the achievement was the result of years of teamwork and commitment.
The Slovenian becomes only the 23rd referee in history to oversee a FIFA World Cup final and the first from his country to reach that level.
Vinčić enters the final with a strong record at both international and club level.
During his career, he has refereed more than 500 professional matches and has regularly been selected for major UEFA and FIFA competitions.
His experience includes the 2022 UEFA Europa League final and the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, assignments that helped establish his reputation as one of Europe’s leading referees.
This is Vinčić’s second FIFA World Cup.
He was also part of the officiating team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he refereed group-stage matches involving Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Wales and England.
His experience at the highest level has been seen as a key factor behind FIFA’s confidence in his ability to manage the pressure of a World Cup final.
The Slovenian official is also familiar with both finalists.
He previously refereed Argentina during the 2022 World Cup and has handled several matches involving Spain in major European competitions, including UEFA Euro tournaments and the UEFA Nations League.
Among his biggest assignments was the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers.
Experienced Team for Historic World Cup Match
Vinčić will not be working alone. He will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič.
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Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh has been appointed fourth official, while Mohammad Alkalaf of Jordan will serve as reserve assistant referee.
FIFA announced the full team together with the referee appointment.
The World Cup final is regarded as the most demanding assignment in football officiating, with every decision subjected to scrutiny from players, coaches, supporters and broadcasters around the world.
For that reason, FIFA traditionally selects referees with extensive experience in major international and club competitions.
Vinčić’s record across UEFA and FIFA tournaments made him one of the leading candidates for the role.
The final will bring together two football giants.
Spain are chasing a second World Cup title, while Argentina are seeking a fourth crown and hoping to retain the trophy won in Qatar four years ago.
Spain’s possession-based style will be tested by Argentina’s experience on the biggest stage, with both sides aiming to finish the tournament on a historic note.
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