The Slovenian Slavko Vincic ended his career as a professional referee just a week after directing the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, the Slovenian Football Federation (NZS) announced. With his farewell, he concludes a career of more than a decade in international competitions, marked by his presence in some of the most important matches on the football calendar.

His country's federation reported that the 46-year-old whistler made his retirement official after closing the season with the most important match of the tournament played in the United States. For the NZS, being appointed to the World Cup final established Vincic as one of the most notable referees in the history of the sport.

The organization also recalled that the judge received important recognition during his last year of activity, including the appointment as best referee of the 2026 World Cup by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), which highlighted his ability to maintain "the clear and firm disciplinary control that characterizes elite refereeing."

Added to that recognition was the Giulio Campanati award, awarded in Italy for his performance during the World Cup.

A career with European finals and decisive matches

Vincic's international career began in 2010 and since then he has gained experience in competitions organized by UEFA and FIFA.

Among the most relevant matches he directed are the 2022 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Glasgow Rangers, as well as the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, in which Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund.

That same year he was also distinguished by the IFFHS as the second best referee in the world, a recognition that preceded the election to administer justice in the 2026 World Cup final.

The Slovenian Federation considered that these achievements crowned a career that ended at the highest event in international football.

His relationship with Argentina and Spain in the World Cup

In addition to the championship match between Argentina and Spain, Vincic was present in three other matches of the 2026 World Cup.

During the tournament he directed the 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco, Algeria's 2-1 victory over Jordan and Mexico's 2-0 victory against Ecuador in the round of 32.

The referee also left an important precedent with the Argentine team since the Qatar 2022 edition, when he was in charge of administering justice in the Albiceleste's surprising 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia during its debut in that tournament.

In the 2026 final he met again with the Argentine team and showed a red card to Enzo Fernández, becoming another of the referees who expelled an Argentine footballer in a World Cup final. The text recalls that, although that episode did not reach the notoriety of the one starring Edgardo Codesal in Italia 1990, Vincic became part of that list.

As for Spain, the referee's balance is favorable for the new world champion. Throughout his career he directed six matches for the Spanish team, with four wins and two draws.

With the announcement of his retirement, Vincic closes a stage in which he participated in continental and world finals, in addition to saying goodbye after receiving two of the main individual distinctions for a referee in international football.