17.07.2026 12:31
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will officiate the FIFA 2026 World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina. Vincic managed the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby in the 2024/25 season and described it as the hardest match of his life. After the match, G.Saray head coach Okan Buruk said of the experienced referee, 'Vincic never listened to the fourth official because he was Turkish. The fourth official said there was a handball. I have truly never seen such a poor performance.' These remarks quickly became a topic of discussion again.
The referee for the Spain vs Argentina final match to be played on Sunday, July 19, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been announced.
VINCIC TO OFFICIATE WORLD CUP FINAL
The match, which will be played at New Jersey Stadium and start at 10:00 PM Turkish time, will be officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic. Vincic's assistants will be his compatriots Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic. The fourth official will be Adham Makhadmeh from the Jordan Football Federation. The reserve assistant referee will also be Mohammad Alkalaf from Jordan.
MATCHES HE OFFICIATED IN THE WORLD CUP
Slavko Vincic officiated the matches between Brazil and Morocco and Jordan and Algeria during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. Vincic also refereed the Mexico vs Ecuador match in the round of 32.
HE ALSO OFFICIATED THE GALATASARAY-FENERBAHCE DERBY
The Slovenian referee took charge of the Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce derby in the Super League on February 24, 2025, which ended goalless. After the derby, Vincic stated that he had officiated the hardest match of his life.
OKAN BURUK TO VINCIC: 'I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A BAD ONE'
With the appointment for the World Cup final match, Okan Buruk's comments about the experienced referee after the derby in the 2024-2025 season came back to the agenda. The successful coach, who was not satisfied with Vincic's performance, said, 'Slavko Vincic never listened because the fourth official was Turkish. The fourth official said there was a handball. I really have never seen such a bad performance.'