Who is World Cup final referee? Historic first for nation as new face officiating Spain v Argentina

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will be officiated by a familiar face to fans of both teams.

FIFA have confirmed the refereeing team for the MetLife Stadium showdown on Sunday.

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It is set to be a thrilling finale, even if England fans may not want to watch after their World Cup hopes were brutally ended by Argentina.

Now, the 2022 winners face off against the European champions, in what is surely Lionel Messi‘s last dance on football’s biggest stage.

The showdown could also see the torch passed over as football’s next superstar, with 19-year-old Lamine Yamal bidding to take on the mantle from Messi by guiding Spain to glory.

Who is the referee for the World Cup final?

Slovenia’s Slavko Vincic has been announced as the man in the middle for Sunday’s all-or-nothing clash in New York.

This will mark a landmark moment in World Cup history, with the official set to become the first-ever Slovenian to take charge of football’s biggest game.

Vincic previously officiated at both the 2022 tournament, as well as at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

He will be joined by compatriots Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as his assistants.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh will be the fourth official.

The World Cup final will be Vincic’s fourth match of the summer, and his sixth overall.

He kicked off the campaign by overseeing Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco, before officiating Algeria’s group-stage win over Jordan.

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The 44-year-old then took charge of co-hosts Mexico’s last-32 win over Ecuador, which featured a major decision.

Vincic handed out his first-ever red card in 10 major tournament fixtures, as he sent off Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie for covering his mouth when speaking to Santiago Gimenez under the new FIFA rules.

And the Slovenian referee is also a familiar face to both of Sunday’s finalists.

He made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022, with his first match seeing him referee Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, who famously bounced back to win the entire tournament.

For Spain, Vincic will bring back fonder memories, having overseen their Euro 2024 semi-final win over France en route to glory.

As well as boasting major tournament experience, Vincic is a familiar face in European football’s biggest games.

He officiated the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, two years after taking charge of the Europa League final between Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt.

History made

With Vincic set to make history as Slovenia’s first-ever World Cup final referee, he was overcome with emotion as he learned of his role.

The news was shared on Thursday by governing body FIFA, with a video also posted on social media of a tearful Vincic finding out.

He said: “So, first of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking, so it’s an incredible honour to get the World Cup final.

“It’s something that… it’s only a dream for a referee, for a young referee when they start. So, I’m very proud, very proud of myself, my team.

“It’s very difficult to put everything into words, but I’m very proud to represent my country, Slovenia, in the biggest sporting event in the world.

“So, yeah, I’m very proud. My team is very proud and we will do our best.”