Overview
- Pierluigi Collina personally informed Slavko Vincic of the appointment and video of the moment released Friday shows the 46‑year‑old crying with emotion when his name was announced.
- Vincic will referee the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and becomes the 23rd person and the first Slovenian to take charge of a final.
- FIFA published the full match team, naming compatriots Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič as his on‑field assistants, Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh as fourth official, and a multinational VAR panel led by Bastian Dankert.
- The appointment rests on Vincic’s record at major events — he has refereed the 2022 Europa League final, the 2024 Champions League final, Euro 2024 matches and earlier World Cups — and he is one of the oldest officials ever to referee a final.
- The choice comes during a tournament marked by high public scrutiny of decisions, including the Balogun reinstatement episode and criticism of other referees, and FIFA leaders have publicly defended the integrity of match officials.