FIFA has confirmed that Slavko Vincic will referee the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.
Vincic will lead a Slovenian team at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic serving as his assistants.
The 46-year-old is refereeing at his second World Cup and the final will be his fourth game of the competition after two group stage fixtures and one previous match in the knock-out rounds.
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Who is Slavko Vincic?
Vincic was the referee for Brazil’s draw against Morocco in Group C and the Group J fixture between Jordan and Algeria. He was the match referee for Mexico vs Ecuador in the round of 32.
He’s issued a total of six yellow cards in the tournament so far but was the referee who sent off Piero Hincapie in stoppage time of Ecuador’s defeat in Mexico City. Four years ago, he refereed Argentina’s loss against Saudi Arabia.
The Slovenian referee is working at his fourth major summer tournament and has a wealth of big match experience, including the Europa League final in 2022 and the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in 2024.
Vincic broke down when he was told in a referees’ meeting that he is to be the lead official in East Rutherford on Sunday, embracing his fellow officials upon hearing the news.
“So, first of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking, so it’s an incredible honour to get the World Cup final,” he said.
“It’s something that… it’s only a dream for a referee, for a young referee when they start. So, I’m very proud, very proud of myself, my team.
“It’s very difficult to put everything into words, but I’m very proud to represent my country, Slovenia, in the biggest sporting event in the world. So, yeah, I’m very proud. My team is very proud and we will do our best.”
Vincic is among the most experienced referees at the World Cup when it comes to senior international football. He was promoted to the FIFA international list in 2010 and made his tournament debut as an assistant referee at the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine two years later.
In April, he took charge of the Champions League quarter-final second leg between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, booking three players from the Spanish capital giants and dismissing both Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler.
He was the referee for Sweden’s World Cup qualification play-off victory over Poland, issuing a total of five yellow cards, and now becomes the first Slovenian to referee the World Cup final.