World Cup 2026 Final Referee Slavko Vinčić Announces Retirement

Slavko Vinčić has officially brought his distinguished refereeing career to an end, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina serving as his farewell match on the international stage.
The Slovenian official had been on FIFA's International Referees List since 2010 and made history by becoming the first referee from Slovenia to oversee a FIFA World Cup final. Following an outstanding tournament, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named Vinčić the Best Referee of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Over the course of his career, Vinčić officiated some of the biggest matches in world football. His résumé includes the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, as well as the 2024 UEFA Champions League final featuring Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. He also took charge of matches at four editions of the UEFA European Championship, cementing his reputation as one of Europe's most respected referees.