Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has been appointed to oversee Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. This milestone makes the 46-year-old the first official from Slovenia to manage the tournament’s championship match and just the 23rd referee in history to achieve this feat.
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina informed Vincic of the assignment in an emotional announcement. Vincic, who hails from Maribor, described feeling shocked and honored by the news, emphasizing that this has been a lifelong dream. He noted that the accomplishment is shared with his officiating partners, Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič.
Vincic brings significant high-level experience to the final. He officiated the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund and the 2022 Europa League final. In the current World Cup, he previously handled matches involving Brazil, Algeria, and Mexico.
Collina explained that the selection process was based on rigorous performance evaluations throughout the tournament. He noted that the decision-making process is thorough, focusing on consistent quality on the pitch. The fourth official for the match will be Adham Makhadmeh from Jordan, with his compatriot Mohammad Al-Kalaf serving as the reserve assistant referee.
Reflecting on his preparations, Vincic stated that he will maintain his standard routine, focusing on thorough analysis and physical readiness. He aims to ensure the match concludes with his performance remaining entirely out of the spotlight.
