Overview
- FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina informed Slavko Vincic of his selection on Friday, July 17, for the final between Argentina and Spain at New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
- A video published with the announcement shows Vincic visibly moved to tears when told of the appointment, and he described the moment as a shock followed by great happiness.
- Vincic has already refereed three matches at this tournament — Brazil v Morocco, Algeria v Jordan and Mexico v Ecuador — establishing his active role in the 2026 World Cup.
- The 46-year-old from Maribor will be the 23rd referee to preside over a World Cup final and will work with assistants Tomaž Klancnik and Andraž Kovacic.
- Vincic’s selection caps a career that includes European Championship and major club finals, and it highlights FIFA’s practice of naming experienced officials to the tournament’s decisive match.