Slavko Vincic: The Referee Who Owned the World Cup Final Stage
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has been handed the whistle for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, making history as the first official from his country to take charge of the tournament's biggest game. At 46, Vincic joins an elite club of just 23 referees to ever officiate a World Cup final. This is a moment of pure African energy — a man rising through the ranks, proving that hard work and focus can put you on the global stage.
FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina, broke the news to Vincic in a video that went viral. The Maribor-born ref admitted he was shaking. 'First of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking. It's an incredible honour to get the World Cup final,' he said. 'It's only a dream for a referee when they start their career. I'm very proud of myself and my team.'
Who is Slavko Vincic?
This is Vincic's second World Cup. He handled two group-stage matches in Qatar 2022. At the 2026 tournament, he oversaw Brazil's draw with Morocco, Algeria's win over Jordan, and Mexico's Round of 32 victory against Ecuador. That consistency earned him the nod for the final.
But this isn't his first title decider. In 2024, he refereed the Champions League final at Wembley, where Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0. He also took charge of the 2022 UEFA Europa League final, where Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers on penalties. He's only the second Slovenian to officiate a Champions League final after Damir Skomina in 2019.
Teamwork is the real MVP
Vincic didn't claim the spotlight alone. He shouted out his crew: assistant referees Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič. 'Refereeing is all about teamwork. Without them, this is not possible,' he said. 'We are really good friends, a good team, and thanks to them.' Jordan's Adham Makhadmeh will serve as fourth official, with Mohammad Al-Kalaf as reserve assistant referee.
Why FIFA chose Vincic
Collina explained the selection process was all about performance. 'It's a long process. There are many pieces of the puzzle that have to be combined,' he said. 'The performances are what matter the most. Also the fact that his team is not playing in this competition, but mainly performances. At the end of the day, that's what really matters.' Collina admitted the moment is emotional for him too. 'This is the third time I've done it at a FIFA World Cup, and I still get goosebumps.'
How Vincic is preparing for the final
Vincic said his preparation won't change. 'We will analyse the teams again, even though we've been following them for more than 40 days,' he said. 'We'll stay focused, try to be mentally fresh and physically fresh, and we'll do our best so that we will not be a topic after the match.' That's the kind of focus we love to see — a man who wants the game to be about the players, not the ref.
FAQ
What is Slavko Vincic's background?
Vincic is a 46-year-old Slovenian referee who has officiated at two World Cups and multiple European finals, including the Champions League and Europa League.
Why was Vincic chosen for the World Cup final?
FIFA's Pierluigi Collina said the decision was based on Vincic's consistent performances throughout the tournament, as well as his experience in high-pressure matches.
Who is on Vincic's officiating team?
His crew includes assistant referees Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič, with Jordan's Adham Makhadmeh as fourth official.