Slavko Vincic, the Slovenian referee, has been chosen to officiate the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, a historic decision marking the first time a referee from his country will oversee the men's World Cup final. The decisive match will take place at MetLife Stadium, with Spain aiming to secure their second World Cup 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 Europa League final and the 2024 UEFA Champions League final. In the 2026 World Cup, 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.
THE 2026 WORLD CUP LIVES ON WITH LEGO
The Slovenian referee's journey with Argentina includes a notable episode in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, in a match where Argentina was surprised by Saudi Arabia, 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 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
Additionally, Vincic has faced recent controversial decisions involving the two biggest Spanish clubs. In April 2026, during the quarter-finals of the Champions League, he sent off Eduardo Camavinga, a substitute for Real Madrid, for accumulating yellow cards in extra time, at a point when the tie was level. Real Madrid 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 match against Chelsea.
Slavko Vincic's appointment to the World Cup final reinforces FIFA'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 world will be watching the officiating of Vincic, which could be crucial to the outcome of the 2026 World Cup.
NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – HERE
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