Overview
- FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will be the center official for the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium.
- The announced officiating team includes Slovenian assistants Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič plus fourth and reserve officials from Jordan, Adham Makhadmeh and Mohammad Alkalaf.
- Vinčić is a FIFA referee since 2010 with extensive UEFA experience and multiple high‑profile assignments this season, including Champions League games and three matches at this World Cup.
- Reporting highlights his interventionist match style—coverage cites an average of about 51 minutes of effective play per game and roughly four yellow cards per match—which could increase stoppages and disciplinary enforcement in the final.
- His record with the teams and past incidents are noted: he refereed Argentina’s 2022 opening loss to Saudi Arabia, Spain remains unbeaten under him, and a 2020 detention in Bosnia was quickly resolved with no charges.