World Cup Final Referee Retires After Historic Farewell

Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has announced his retirement from officiating just one week after taking charge of the FIFA World Cup final, bringing an end to a distinguished career that spanned more than a decade at the highest level of international football. The Slovenian Football Association confirmed his decision in an official statement, noting that the World Cup final had always been intended as the final chapter of his refereeing journey.

Vinčić’s final match was one of the most dramatic fixtures of the tournament. Spain secured the World Cup title by defeating Argentina in extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. The match, however, was also marked by controversy. During stoppage time, Vinčić dismissed Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández with a red card. Tempers continued to flare after the final whistle when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was involved in an altercation with Spain’s Gavi, knocking the midfielder to the ground. Although Vinčić did not issue a card for the incident, FIFA has since opened an investigation into the post-match confrontation.

The experienced official had already attracted widespread attention before the final kicked off. When FIFA announced that he had been selected to referee football’s biggest match, Vinčić became visibly emotional and was seen in tears, reflecting the significance of the appointment. His performances throughout the tournament also earned widespread praise. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named him the tournament’s best referee, while the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) presented him with the prestigious Giulio Campanati Award, recognising outstanding officiating at a FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship.

Vinčić oversaw four matches during the World Cup. His assignments included Brazil versus Morocco and Jordan against Algeria in the group stage, followed by the Round of 16 encounter between Mexico and Ecuador. In that knockout match, he sent off Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié for breaching the tournament’s newly introduced rule regarding covering one’s mouth while communicating with match officials. His strong performances throughout the competition ultimately earned him the honour of officiating the final.

A member of UEFA’s Elite Referee Panel since 2019, Vinčić built an impressive résumé across European football. He officiated major fixtures at UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, including the Spain versus Italy semi-final. One of the highlights of his career came in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, where Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to claim a record-extending 15th European title. He also refereed the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt and served as the fourth official in the 2021 Europa League final between Manchester United and Villarreal.

His international experience extended beyond European competitions. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Vinčić officiated two matches, including Saudi Arabia’s famous victory over Argentina. In 2025, he was also entrusted with one of Turkey’s most fiercely contested Super Lig fixtures between Galatasaray and José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, underlining the confidence placed in him by football authorities.

According to the Slovenian Football Association and officials familiar with the decision, the current campaign had long been planned as Vinčić’s farewell season. His retirement, therefore, was not prompted by criticism surrounding the World Cup final but formed part of a carefully considered plan to conclude his career on football’s grandest stage. The IFFHS honour and the Giulio Campanati Award have been described as fitting tributes to an official who consistently performed at the highest level.

Vinčić first appeared at a major international tournament as a sixth official at UEFA Euro 2012. Over the next 14 years, he officiated 72 matches across UEFA’s two premier club competitions while establishing himself as one of Europe’s most respected referees. Ending his career with the privilege of refereeing a FIFA World Cup final provides a fitting conclusion to an accomplished career that leaves a lasting mark on the modern game.