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Slovenian football referee Slavko Vinčić, who officiated the 2026 World Cup final, has announced his retirement from his illustrious career. The news was officially confirmed by the press service of the Slovenian Football Association.
Vinčić, 46, had the distinct honor of being the head referee for the most significant match in global football – the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19th. In that memorable encounter, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to claim the coveted title.
The Slovenian official steps down after an impressive career, having overseen more than 500 official matches at both club and international levels. He earned his FIFA international referee status in 2010.
Among the most significant moments in his career are two European club finals. In 2022, he refereed the Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, which the German side won after a penalty shootout. Two years later, in 2024, Vinčić also took charge of the Champions League final, where Real Madrid triumphed 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund.
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