FIFA has officially appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vini to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The showpiece match will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. local time.
The 46-year-old has been a FIFA international referee since 2010 and is widely regarded as one of the most experienced match officials in world football. Throughout his career, Vini has overseen numerous high-profile fixtures in both FIFA and UEFA competitions.
Among the biggest matches he has officiated are the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, as well as matches at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. His impressive résumé has earned him the honor of taking charge of football's biggest match.
Vini's appointment comes as the football world eagerly awaits the highly anticipated final between Spain and Argentina, with both nations set to battle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title in a match expected to captivate millions of fans across the globe.
