Slovenian Match Official Breaks Down After Receiving FIFA World Cup Final Nod | Watch

Published 17 July 2026 · sports

Slovenian Match Official Breaks Down After Receiving FIFA World Cup Final Nod | Watch Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 12:50 IST Slavko Vincic

Slovenian Match Official Breaks Down After Receiving FIFA World Cup Final Nod | Watch Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 12:50 IST Slavko Vincic to referee FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium. Slovenian official overcome with emotion. Rapid Read Slavko Vincic has been named the lead referee for the FIFA World Cup final (Picture credit: Screengrab from X) Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic was on Friday reduced to tears after he was named as the on-field official for the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, which will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, July 19. Vincic was appointed as the referee for the summit clash, with fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic serving as his assistant referees. As the announcement was made before the assembled refereeing contingent, Vincic struggled to hold back his tears before being congratulated by his colleagues. Watch the video here Introducing your referee for the @FIFAWorldCup 2026 Final….🥁Congratulations, Slavko Vinčić!

👏 pic.twitter.com/OMLJ3oA31p — FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 17, 2026 Vincic is one of UEFA’s most seasoned referees, having been on FIFA’s international panel since 2010. He has officiated multiple high-profile games over the years, including the 2024 UEFA Champions League final. On the international stage, Vincic refereed two games at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has already overseen three matches at the ongoing tournament. Vincic’s most recent assignment at the tournament came on July 1, when Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32. The fiercely contested game saw multiple players booked, while Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié was shown a straight red card for violating FIFA regulations by covering his mouth while confronting Mexico striker Santiago Giménez. Klancnik and Kovacic have been part of a long-standing officiating team, working together on the international stage for more than a decade. They will once again assist Vincic, while experienced Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh has been named the fourth official. Makhadmeh’s compatriot Mohammad Alkalaf will serve as the reserve assistant referee for the showpiece final.

Vincic had also officiated the match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which the former surprisingly lost. But Vincic found himself at the centre of controversy in May 2020 after being detained during a police raid at a gathering in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Slovenian referee has maintained that he had travelled to the city of Bijeljina after accepting an invitation to what he believed was a business lunch. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What makes Slavko Vincic a top referee? Slavko Vincic is set to referee the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. He has been on FIFA's international panel since 2010 and officiated two games at the 2022 World Cup and three matches in the current tournament. Vincic was overcome with emotion upon his appointment. Will this final be Vincic's biggest challenge yet? I cannot make predictions about future events.