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3mo ago

Slavko Vinčić Retires After Officiating 2026 World Cup Final

His exit follows IFFHS recognition with the Giulio Campanati prize, signaling the end of an elite European refereeing career.

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Overview

  • The Slovenian Football Federation announced on Monday that 46-year-old Slavko Vinčić has officially retired one week after refereeing the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
  • Vinčić was the match official for the 2026 final in East Rutherford, a capstone appointment that sources say made him the first Slovenian to referee a World Cup final as the head official.
  • Post-tournament honors highlighted his performance, with the International Federation of Football History & Statistics naming him best World Cup referee and Italy awarding him the Giulio Campanati prize.
  • His rise included a FIFA listing from 2010, more than 50 Champions League matches and finals appearances in the 2022 Europa League and the 2024 Champions League.
  • A 2020 detention in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended without charges and did not stop later high-profile assignments, and the NZS plans to honor Vinčić as one of Slovenia’s top referees.