Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will make history on Sunday after being appointed to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, becoming the first referee from Slovenia to take charge of football’s biggest match.
The appointment also places the 46-year-old among an elite group of officials, as he becomes only the 23rd referee in history to oversee a FIFA World Cup final.
FIFA confirmed Vinčić’s selection ahead of the showpiece encounter, with the experienced official receiving the news from FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, in an emotional meeting captured on video by the world football governing body.
‘I Was Shaking’ – Vinčić Reacts to Historic Appointment
Speaking after learning of his appointment, an emotional Vinčić admitted the moment was beyond anything he had imagined when he began refereeing.
“First of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking. It’s an incredible honour to get the World Cup final,” he said.
The Slovenian described the appointment as the ultimate achievement for any referee.
“It’s only a dream for a referee when they start their career. I’m very proud of myself and my team.”
He also expressed pride in representing Slovenia on football’s biggest stage.
“It’s very difficult to put everything into words, but I’m very proud to represent my country, Slovenia, at the biggest sporting event in the world. My team is very proud, and we will do our best.”
Who Is Slavko Vinčić?
Born in Maribor, Slovenia, Vinčić has established himself as one of Europe’s most respected match officials through years of officiating at the highest level of club and international football.
The 46-year-old is officiating at his second FIFA World Cup, having previously handled two group-stage matches during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
His consistent performances throughout the 2026 competition earned him FIFA’s confidence to oversee the tournament’s biggest fixture.
During this year’s World Cup, Vinčić has officiated:
- Brazil’s Group C draw with Morocco.
- Algeria’s Group J victory over Jordan.
- Mexico’s Round of 32 win over Ecuador.
His displays in those matches were widely praised, paving the way for his appointment to the final.
Champions League Final Experience
Although Sunday will be Vinčić’s first World Cup final, he is no stranger to major occasions.
In 2024, UEFA selected him to referee the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, where Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to lift the European crown.
That appointment made him only the second Slovenian referee to officiate a Champions League final, following Damir Skomina, who handled the 2019 final.
A Historic Milestone for Slovenia
Vinčić’s appointment is regarded as a landmark achievement for Slovenian football, highlighting the country’s growing reputation for producing elite match officials.
His selection also reflects FIFA’s confidence in his calm decision-making, consistency and ability to manage high-pressure encounters involving the world’s biggest football stars.
Eyes on the Biggest Match in Football
With world champions Argentina aiming to retain their title and Spain seeking to reclaim football’s biggest prize, Vinčić will be under intense global scrutiny when he blows the first whistle on Sunday.
The experienced Slovenian will lead an officiating team tasked with ensuring the World Cup final is decided by the players, as millions of fans around the world watch one of the most anticipated matches in international football.
