Slavko Vincic in tears after being chosen to referee 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic broke down in tears after being told he had been selected to officiate the 2026 World Cup final – a decision that makes him the first referee from Slovenia to take charge of football’s biggest match.

The 46-year-old will referee Sunday’s showpiece between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey area, world governing body Fifa has announced.

The appointment is being hailed in Slovenia as a landmark moment, with Vincic set to “write his name in golden letters” in the country’s refereeing history and become only the 23rd referee ever to handle a World Cup final.

Historic first for Slovenian refereeing

Fifa confirmed that Vincic will lead an all-Slovenian core officiating team on the pitch.

He will be assisted on the touchlines by compatriots Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, who have regularly worked with him in elite international and club fixtures.

Their selection marks the first time a Slovenian referee has been entrusted with a World Cup final, underlining the country’s growing reputation in the officiating ranks despite its relatively small footballing footprint.

Vincic’s emotional reaction to the news has been widely shared in Slovenian media, seen as a reflection of the scale of the achievement both personally and nationally.

Strong Arab presence in officiating team

The referee crew will also feature a notable Arab presence.

Jordanian official Adham Makhadmeh has been appointed as the fourth official, the on-field backup and key link with the technical areas, while his compatriot Mohammad Alkalaf will serve as the reserve assistant referee.

Their inclusion continues a recent trend of greater representation for Asian and Arab referees in the latter stages of major Fifa tournaments.

Trusted figure in European and world football

Vincic is regarded as one of Europe’s leading referees and has long been trusted by Uefa for high-profile assignments across the Champions League and international competitions.

Fifa’s decision to hand him the 2026 final follows years of consistent performances at the top level and reflects confidence in his ability to handle the intense pressure and scrutiny that accompanies the sport’s most watched match.

This World Cup has further cemented his status. The final between Spain and Argentina will be the fourth game he has controlled at the 2026 tournament.

Fourth match of the tournament for Vincic

Before being given the ultimate honour of the final, Vincic took charge of three fixtures earlier in the competition:

– Brazil v Morocco
– Algeria v Jordan
– Mexico v Ecuador

His handling of those contests is understood to have strengthened his case inside Fifa’s refereeing committee, paving the way for his elevation to the pinnacle fixture of the event.

By the time he blows the final whistle at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Vincic will have completed a World Cup campaign that caps a long international career – and delivers a milestone moment for both Slovenian refereeing and the global officiating fraternity.