Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has announced his retirement from international football officiating, days after refereeing the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
The Football Association of Slovenia confirmed that the 46-year-old, born in Maribor, ended his refereeing career following the high-profile final, which saw Spain clinch victory in a tightly contested match.
Career Highlights
- Joined FIFA's international referees list in 2010, building a respected profile across European competitions.
- Served as sixth official at UEFA Euro 2012 and officiated the European Under-17 Championship final in 2013.
- Handled key Europa League knockout fixtures, including the Rome derby in 2019.
- Refereed the 2022 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Glasgow Rangers.
2026 World Cup Final
Vinčić was selected by FIFA to oversee the World Cup final, marking the pinnacle of his career. During the match, he notably issued a red card to Argentina's Enzo Fernandez. The referee's decision to allow Spain's Marc Cucurella to stay on the field despite a contentious incident sparked debate on officiating consistency in crucial games.
Vinčić's retirement closes a distinguished chapter in European and international refereeing, highlighting his steady rise through major tournaments over 16 years.
