Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic ended his professional career just one week after officiating the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, the Slovenian Football Federation (NZS) reported, thus bringing to a close a career marked by some of the most important matches in international soccer.
On its official website, the NZS noted that the 46-year-old referee concluded a historic career after reaching the pinnacle of a referee’s career: officiating a World Cup final. For the Slovenian Federation, that appointment cemented Vincic’s status as one of the best referees in soccer history.
His farewell season was also marked by international recognition. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named him the best referee of the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the firm and clear disciplinary control he demonstrated throughout the tournament. In addition, he received the prestigious Giulio Campanati Award in Italy for his refereeing performance at the World Cup.
Vincic began officiating international matches in 2010, and throughout his career he refereed some of the most high-profile matches, including the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, as well as the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, which Real Madrid won against Borussia Dortmund. That same year, he was recognized by the IFFHS as the second-best referee in the world.
At the 2026 World Cup, in addition to the final between Argentina and Spain, the Slovenian officiated three other matches: the 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco, Algeria’s 2-1 victory over Jordan, and Mexico’s 2-0 win against Ecuador in the Round of 32.
His performance in the final was also marked by the ejection of Enzo Fernández, making him yet another referee to show a red card to an Argentine player in a World Cup final. In addition, Vincic already had prior experience with the Albiceleste, as he was the referee for Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in its 2022 World Cup debut.
With Spain, he officiated six matches, resulting in four wins for the now-world champions and two draws, thus capping a career that culminated at the pinnacle of international soccer.
