FIFA has confirmed Slavko Vincic as the man in the middle for Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. The 46-year-old Slovenian will lead an officiating crew stacked with continuity and experience. Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, both compatriots, take the assistant referee roles. Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh steps in as fourth official, while Mohammad Alkalaf serves as reserve assistant.

FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, praised the appointment personally. He called the occasion “absolutely great,” underscoring how significant this assignment is within Vincic’s career arc. Indeed, it caps a rapid rise. Vincic earned his FIFA badge back in 2010 and has since taken charge of marquee European fixtures, including the 2024 Champions League final. Qatar 2022 marked his World Cup debut, where he oversaw two matches. This tournament alone, he’s already handled three more. Sunday’s final becomes his sixth World Cup appointment overall, and by far his biggest.

A Deciding Factor In A Blockbuster Clash

Referees rarely make headlines before kickoff, but finals change that. Every call Vincic makes will draw scrutiny from a global audience exceeding 80,000 inside the stadium alone. Notably, his only prior Argentina assignment came during that stunning 2022 opener loss to Saudi Arabia, a result many still consider a shock. Whether that history carries any weight remains speculation, of course. Still, fans on both sides will be watching closely.

For deeper tournament analysis and match previews, visit KCPredict’s blog. Additional details on the officiating team are available via beIN Sports.