FIFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to oversee the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, with the world title set to be decided on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
The world football governing body confirmed the appointment of Vinčić and the full officiating team on Friday, selecting the experienced official to handle the tournament’s most important fixture.
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Vinčić will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič, who have been named first and second assistant referees respectively.
Jordanian official Adham Makhadmeh will serve as the fourth official, while Mohammad Alkalaf has been appointed as the reserve assistant referee.
The decision to appoint Vinčić places one of Europe’s most experienced referees at the centre of a historic final between two former world champions.
The Slovenian official has previously handled major European fixtures and international matches, earning recognition for his calm approach and strong disciplinary management.
The final will take place at the 80,663-capacity New York New Jersey Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time (EDT).
The match will mark the conclusion of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup and the 104th fixture of the tournament.
Spain reached the final after overcoming France in the semi-finals, continuing an impressive campaign as they seek to claim their second World Cup trophy after their 2010 triumph.
Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, advanced to the final after knockout victories over Egypt, Switzerland and England.
The reigning champions are aiming to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022 and become the latest team to secure back-to-back World Cup victories.
The final carries additional significance for both nations. Spain are seeking to add another chapter to their successful football history, while Argentina hope to extend their recent golden period by lifting the trophy once again under Messi’s leadership.
Also read: FIFA weighs 64-team World Cup, boosting Africa’s qualification hopes
With the world watching, Vinčić and his officiating team will play a crucial role in ensuring fairness and consistency during the decisive match of football’s biggest tournament.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
