Slavko Vinčić Appointed Chief Referee for FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Between Spain and Argentina

Slovenia's Slavko Vinčić has been appointed as the chief referee for the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 final match between Spain and Argentina to be held on Monday. This appointment holds historical significance as it will be the first time a Slovenian referee team will lead the biggest stage of world football. 

Vinčić will be assisted by Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as assistant referees. Adham Makhadmeh from Jordan will serve as the fourth official, and Mohammed Alkalaf will be the reserve assistant referee. 

Bastian Dankert from Germany will lead the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team, with support from Nicolas Gallo of Colombia and Khamis Al Marri of Qatar. Vinčić, 46, a FIFA badge holder since 2010, is considered one of the experienced referees in international football. He has officiated high-level matches such as the 2022 Europa League final, the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, and the Euro 2024 semi-final. 

Also officiated Argentina's match in the Qatar World Cup 

His experience in the World Cup is also notable. He officiated the famous match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In that match, he awarded Argentina a penalty in the eighth minute following a VAR recommendation, which Lionel Messi converted into a goal. 

After that, one goal by Messi and two by Lautaro Martinez were disallowed due to offside. Argentina, leading 1-0 at halftime, conceded two goals in the second half and lost 2-1, which is considered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. In that match, Vinčić showed six yellow cards to Saudi Arabian players, while no cards were shown to any Argentinian players. 

Vinčić has officiated three matches in the 2026 World Cup: Brazil-Morocco, Jordan-Algeria, and Mexico-Ecuador. In those matches, he has shown a total of seven yellow cards and one red card, and has not awarded any penalties. 

His refereeing style is generally known as 'allowing the game to flow naturally, but intervening strictly when necessary.' He showed restraint in card usage in the 2026 World Cup. However, the decision to show a red card to Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié in the Mexico-Ecuador match for protesting to the referee while covering his mouth, according to the new rule, became one of the most talked-about decisions of the tournament. As two of the world's best teams, Spain and Argentina, face each other in today's final, the experienced Vinčić will have a great responsibility to ensure the match is conducted fairly, disciplined, and without controversy. 

Referees for World Cup 2026 Final

Chief Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
Assistant Referees: Tomaz Klancnik (Slovenia), Andraz Kovacic (Slovenia)
Fourth Official: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mohammed Alkalaf
VAR Chief: Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Assistant VAR: Nicolas Gallo (Colombia), Khamis Al Marri (Qatar)
Vinčić's Overall Experience
FIFA Badge: Since 2010 

Major Tournaments: 2022 Europa League Final, 2024 Champions League Final, Euro 2024 Semi-final 

World Cup Experience: Referee in the match where Argentina suffered a historic defeat against Saudi Arabia in 2022