The Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has been appointed by FIFA to oversee the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for this Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This will mark Vincic's fourth match in the tournament. The 46-year-old Slovenian official previously refereed the Brazil-Morocco and Jordan-Algeria group stage matches, as well as the Mexico-Ecuador round of 16 game.
During the Mexico-Ecuador match, Vincic enforced the "Vinícius-Prestianni rule," which mandates a direct red card for players who cover their mouths when addressing an opponent. This led to the expulsion of Ecuador's Piero Hincapié.
Vincic's International Journey
Having served as an international referee since 2010, Vincic's selection for this final makes him the first Slovenian to officiate a World Cup final.
The referee's history with the two finalists is notably unbalanced. Under his direction, Spain remains unbeaten in five matches, including a 2-1 victory against France in the Euro 2024 semifinals.
Argentina's Complex Relationship with Vincic
Argentina, however, has less favorable memories of Vincic. They suffered a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, a game marred by three disallowed goals for offside and a controversial penalty awarded by VAR, all under Vincic's watch.
During the Qatar 2022 World Cup, he also officiated the Iran 2-0 Wales group stage match.
Club Level Achievements
On the club scene, Vincic's resume includes officiating the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, where Real Madrid triumphed 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Assisting Vincic in the final are fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič, with Adham Makhadmeh from Jordan serving as the fourth official.
A Historic World Cup Final
This final represents a first in World Cup history, as Spain and Argentina have never faced each other at this stage before. Spain secured their spot by defeating France 2-0 on July 14 in Arlington, Texas, with goals from Fabián Ruiz and Merino. Meanwhile, Argentina progressed by overcoming England 2-1 on July 15 in Atlanta, with Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez finding the net.
Argentina enters the match as the defending champions, having claimed the title in Qatar 2022, while Spain aims for a second World Cup triumph, 16 years after their victory in South Africa 2010.
On Sunday, Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino will jointly present the trophy to the champions at the MetLife Stadium.
Key Questions About the 2026 World Cup Final
Who is Slavko Vincic?
Slavko Vincic is a Slovenian referee who has been officiating internationally since 2010. He is set to referee the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in 2026.
What is the "Vinícius-Prestianni rule"?
The "Vinícius-Prestianni rule" is a regulation that issues a direct red card to players who cover their mouths while speaking to an opponent, which Slavko Vincic enforced during the Mexico-Ecuador match in the 2026 World Cup.
How have Spain and Argentina fared under Vincic's officiating?
Spain has remained undefeated in five matches under Vincic's refereeing, while Argentina remembers a controversial loss to Saudi Arabia at the Qatar 2022 World Cup under his direction.