Slavko VinÄiÄ will referee the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina after FIFA selected the experienced Slovenian official for footballās biggest match. The final will be played at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. In India, the match begins at 12:30 a.m. IST on Monday, July 20.
The appointment carries historic significance. VinÄiÄ will become the first Slovenian referee to oversee a FIFA World Cup final and only the 23rd match official to take charge of the tournamentās deciding game.
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina personally informed the 46-year-old of his selection. VinÄiÄ appeared visibly emotional as the announcement was delivered in front of the tournamentās remaining officials.
āFirst of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking,ā VinÄiÄ said after receiving the assignment, describing the World Cup final as an āincredible honour.ā
Who is Slavko VinÄiÄ?
Born in Maribor, Slovenia, VinÄiÄ has been a FIFA-listed international referee since 2010. His rise through European and international football has included several of the sportās most demanding assignments.
He refereed the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, which Frankfurt won following a penalty shootout. Two years later, UEFA selected him for the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
VinÄiÄ was also in charge of Spainās 2-1 victory over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semifinal. That experience means several Spanish players may already be familiar with his approach to fouls, dissent and match control.
The Slovenian is appearing at his second World Cup. He handled two matches at Qatar 2022 and has refereed three games during the 2026 tournament: Brazil against Morocco, Jordan against Algeria and Mexico against Ecuador in the Round of 32.
Collina explained that performances throughout the tournament were the most important consideration behind FIFAās decision. Officials are assessed throughout the competition before the final appointment is made.
The selection places VinÄiÄ at the centre of a highly anticipated final featuring Lionel Messiās Argentina and a Spain team containing Lamine Yamal. Their unusual connection goes back years, as shown by the story behind the famous Messi and baby Lamine Yamal photograph that resurfaced before the final.
VinÄiÄās previous history with Argentina
Argentine supporters may remember VinÄiÄ from one of their countryās most shocking World Cup defeats. He refereed Argentinaās opening match against Saudi Arabia at the 2022 tournament, when Lionel Messiās team suffered a surprise 2-1 loss.
The result ended Argentinaās 36-match unbeaten run. However, VinÄiÄ also awarded Argentina a first-half penalty after Leandro Paredes was pulled down during a corner. Messi converted the spot kick before Saudi Arabia completed its second-half comeback.
That defeat ultimately did not prevent Argentina from winning the trophy in Qatar. It nevertheless gives VinÄiÄ a notable connection to the defending champions before Sundayās final.
VinÄiÄ will be assisted in New Jersey by fellow Slovenians Tomaž KlanÄnik and Andraž KovaÄiÄ. The trio previously worked together during the 2024 Champions League final.
Jordanās Adham Makhadmeh will serve as the fourth official, while Mohammad Al-Kalaf will be the reserve assistant referee. German official Bastian Dankert has been appointed as the video assistant referee. He will be supported by Colombiaās NicolĆ”s Gallo and Qatarās Khamis Al Marri.
VinÄiÄ said he and his team will study both finalists while trying to remain physically and mentally fresh. His objective is straightforward: manage the match so effectively that the officials do not become the main talking point afterward.
That will be challenging in a final carrying several major storylines. Argentina are attempting to retain the World Cup, while Spain are seeking another global title after an impressive run through the tournament. The match could also determine the outcome of the closely contested 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race.
The referee announcement is another major detail confirmed ahead of the showpiece, alongside the planned 2026 World Cup final closing ceremony and performers at New York New Jersey Stadium.
With experienced assistant referees and a multinational VAR team supporting him, VinÄiÄ has been trusted with the most important assignment of his career. Every major foul, penalty appeal and disciplinary decision will be examined closely as Spain and Argentina compete for the World Cup trophy.
Source: FIFAās official referee announcement.
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