# Slavko Vinčić will referee the final of the 2026 World Cup between Spain and Argentina. - URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/slavko-vincic-will-referee-the-final-of-the-2026-world-cup-between-spain-and-argentina/ - Published: 2026-07-19T13:01:21+00:00 - Updated: 2026-07-19T13:03:22+00:00 - Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt) - Section: Internacional - Tags: Copa do Mundo 2026 ## Key points - O árbitro esloveno Slavko Vinčić foi escolhido para apitar a final do Mundial 2026 entre Espanha e Argentina, no MetLife Stadium. - Já dirigiu as finais da Liga Europa de 2022 e da Liga dos Campeões de 2024, e no Mundial apitou três jogos, mostrando sete cartões amarelos e um vermelho. - Em 2022, deu um penálti à Argentina aos sete minutos do jogo contra a Arábia Saudita, convertido por Messi, e a derrota por 2-1 pôs fim a uma série de 36 jogos sem perder. ## Article Slavko Vincic, the Slovenian referee, has been chosen to officiate the 2026 [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/modalidades-en/golf-en/sam-burns-leads-the-open-in-search-of-redemption-after-losing-at-the-us-open/) final between Spain and Argentina, a historic decision marking the first time a referee from his country will oversee the men's [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/nacional-en/england-offers-medal-to-goalkeeper-not-registered-for-the-2026-world-cup/) final. The decisive match will take place at [MetLife Stadium](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/lautaro-martinez-and-nico-paz-on-the-bench-in-the-2026-world-cup-final/), with Spain aiming to secure their second [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/didier-deschamps-takes-responsibility-for-france-s-defeat-in-the-last-match/) title and Argentina seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win the trophy in consecutive editions. Vincic, an international referee since 2010, already boasts two prestigious European finals on his resume: the 2022 [UEFA](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/the-head-of-the-council-of-europe-accuses-fifa-of-opening-the-door-to-fraud-in-betting/) [Europa League](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/messi-and-yamal-star-in-the-showdown-in-the-world-cup-final-between-spain-and-argentina/) final and the 2024 [UEFA](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638982) [Champions League](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/arteta-is-seeking-a-serious-solution-to-replace-saliba-after-his-injury/) final. In the 2026 [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/tuchel-hopes-that-english-players-take-pride-in-the-historic-medal/), he officiated three matches: Brazil against Morocco, Jordan against Algeria in the group stage, and Mexico against Ecuador in the Round of 16. In these games, he issued seven yellow cards and one red card, the latter to Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié for the new rule penalizing players who cover their mouths during confrontations. Vincic has yet to award a penalty kick in this [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638759). [THE 2026 WORLD CUP LIVES ON WITH LEGO](https://www.lego.com/pt-pt/categories/football/football-gifts-toys) The Slovenian referee's journey with Argentina includes a notable episode in the group stage of the 2022 [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/messi-sends-an-emotional-message-before-the-world-cup-final-against-spain/), in a match where Argentina was surprised by [Saudi Arabia](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/messi-and-ronaldo-year-by-year-comparison-of-the-two-greatest-players/), losing 2-1, ending a 36-match unbeaten streak. Vincic awarded a penalty to Argentina just seven minutes into the game, following a foul on Leandro Paredes, which [Lionel Messi](https://apitofinal.pt/nacional/mbappe-admite-que-franca-nao-honrou-a-camisola-na-primeira-parte-frente-a-inglaterra/) converted. During that match, he showed six yellow cards to Saudi players, but none to the Argentines. [O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO](https://www.lego.com/pt-pt/categories/football/football-gifts-toys) Additionally, Vincic has faced recent controversial decisions involving the two biggest Spanish clubs. In April 2026, during the quarter-finals of the [Champions League](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/tottenham-willing-to-sell-spence-after-his-performance-at-the-world-cup/), he sent off Eduardo Camavinga, a substitute for [Real Madrid](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/jude-bellingham-e-o-ingles-com-mais-golos-numa-fase-final-do-mundial/), for accumulating yellow cards in extra time, at a point when the tie was level. [Real Madrid](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/jude-bellingham-is-the-english-player-with-the-most-goals-in-a-world-cup-final-stage/) would go on to lose the match. In November 2025, he sent off Ronald Araújo of Barcelona with two yellow cards still in the first half of a [Champions League](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638767) match against Chelsea. Slavko Vincic's appointment to the [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638761) final reinforces [FIFA](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638922)'s confidence in his performance in high-pressure and significant matches. The referee will now have the responsibility of managing the most important game of the tournament, a challenge befitting his experience and career. His performance in this final could also influence future appointments for major international matches. A final between Spain and Argentina promises to be a clash of immense intensity, and the presence of a referee with a history of controversial decisions and experience in European finals adds even more drama to this decisive duel. The [football](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/declan-rice-stands-out-as-the-best-english-selection-in-many-years/) world will be watching the officiating of Vincic, which could be crucial to the outcome of the 2026 [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638734). NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE [WORLD CUP](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638752) WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – [HERE](https://mundialfutebol.com/)