FIFA Names Slavko Vinčić as Referee for World Cup Final Between Argentina and Spain

FIFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Vinčić will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič as first and second assistant referees. Adham Makhadmeh of Jordan has been named fourth official, while Mohammad Alkalaf, also of Jordan, will serve as reserve assistant referee.

The final assignment marks Vinčić’s fourth match of the tournament and his sixth World Cup appearance overall. He previously officiated the group-stage meetings between Brazil and Morocco and between Jordan and Algeria, as well as the round-of-32 match between Mexico and Ecuador. That match drew attention after Vinčić sent off Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié under football’s anti-discrimination protocol.

Argentina reached the final after a 92nd-minute goal defeated England in the semi-final. The team is defending the title it won in 2022 and is seeking a fourth World Cup trophy, which would make it the first nation to win consecutive titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Spain advanced after a two-goal win over France in the other semi-final. The team is chasing its second World Cup title, having last won in 2010.

The match brings together the reigning European champions and the reigning South American champions in a World Cup final for the first time.

FIFA has also confirmed officials for the third-place match between France and England, to be handled by a Venezuelan-led team led by referee Jesus Valenzuela.