Rome, 17 July (LaPresse) – Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will take charge of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, scheduled for Sunday 19 July at New Jersey Stadium in New York. The 46-year-old from Maribor was informed of his appointment by Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head of referees and chairman of the FIFA Referees’ Committee, and said he was surprised by the news. “First of all, it came as a shock. Then came the joy. I was shaking; it’s an incredible honour to referee the World Cup final. It’s a dream for any referee, especially for a young referee just starting out. So, I’m very proud – very proud of myself and my team,” said the Slovenian referee. With this appointment, Vincic becomes the 23rd person in history to referee a World Cup final, and the first from Slovenia. “First of all, it’s very difficult to put it all into words, but I’m very proud to represent my country, Slovenia, at the world’s biggest sporting event. We’ll do our very best,” he added. Vincic has already refereed three matches at this World Cup: Brazil v Morocco and Algeria v Jordan in the group stage, and the round of 16 tie between Mexico and Ecuador.
2026 World Cup: Slovenian Vincic to referee the Spain v Argentina final
Rome, 17 July (LaPresse) – Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will take charge of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, scheduled for Sunday 19 July at New Jersey Stadium in New York. The 46-year-old from Maribor was informed of his appointment by Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head of referees and chairman of the FIFA Referees’ Committee, and said he was surprised by the news. “First of all, it came as a shock. Then came the joy. I was shaking; it’s an incredible honour to referee the World Cup final. It’s a dream for any referee, especially for a young referee just starting out. So, I’m very proud – very proud of myself and my team,” said the Slovenian referee. With this appointment, Vincic becomes the 23rd person in history to referee a World Cup final, and the first from Slovenia. “First of all, it’s very difficult to put it all into words, but I’m very proud to represent my country, Slovenia, at the world’s biggest sporting event. We’ll do our very best,” he added. Vincic has already refereed three matches at this World Cup: Brazil v Morocco and Algeria v Jordan in the group stage, and the round of 16 tie between Mexico and Ecuador.
