Slavko Vinčić Retires from Refereeing Week After World Cup Final

Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has announced his retirement from official match officiating just one week after taking charge of the World Cup final. The Football Association of Slovenia confirmed the decision through an official statement.

His retirement comes shortly after Spain secured the world championship by defeating Argentina, thanks to an extra-time goal from Ferran Torres. The showpiece match was not without controversy. Vinčić sent off Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández in stoppage time following the regulation 90 minutes. Unsettling scenes unfolded on the pitch after the final whistle, notably when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes wrestled Spain’s Gavi to the ground. Although Vinčić did not brandish a card for the altercation, FIFA has launched an investigation into the incident.

Vinčić had drawn significant attention even prior to the final. When FIFA officially announced his appointment to lead the pinnacle match of world football, the referee broke down in tears of emotion. Following his performance throughout the tournament, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named him the best referee of the World Cup. Additionally, the Italian Referees Association (AIA) awarded him the prestigious Giulio Campanati Award, a biennial honour bestowed upon the finest official at a World Cup or European Championship.

Throughout the tournament, Vinčić took charge of four matches in total. During the group stage, he officiated the encounters between Brazil and Morocco, as well as Jordan and Algeria. He subsequently handled the round-of-16 tie between Mexico and Ecuador, where he issued a red card to Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié for breaching a newly introduced rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths while speaking to officials. His campaign culminated with the showpiece final.

A member of UEFA’s elite referee panel since 2019, Vinčić previously officiated fixtures at Euro 2020 and took charge of the high-profile Spain versus Italy semi-final at Euro 2024. His illustrious career also features the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, where Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to claim their 15th European crown. He presided over the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt and served as fourth official during the 2021 Europa League final between Manchester United and Villarreal.

In 2025, he was entrusted with the intense Turkish Süper Lig derby between Galatasaray and José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe. His international pedigree was already well-established during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he officiated two matches, including Saudi Arabia’s memorable group-stage victory over Argentina.

According to statements from the Football Association of Slovenia and related sources, this season had been designated as Vinčić’s farewell campaign long before the tournament began. His decision to step down was not a knee-jerk reaction to post-final scrutiny, but rather a carefully planned conclusion to his career. The IFFHS accolade and the Giulio Campanati Award served as fitting crowning achievements for his final season.

Having begun his international journey as a sixth official at Euro 2012, Vinčić officiated 72 matches across UEFA’s top two club competitions throughout a distinguished 14-year career. Bringing his professional journey to a close on football’s grandest stage marks the end of a remarkable era for the Slovenian official.