Referee Slavko Vincic, Who Was Once Arrested in Drugs and Prostitution Raid, To Officiate in FIFA World Cup 2026 Final

Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has been appointed to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, a match set to see Argentina face Spain on Sunday, July 19, at the New Jersey Stadium. His selection for football’s most prestigious assignment marks the pinnacle of a long and decorated career, though the journey to this moment has seen him overcome intense public scrutiny from a highly publicised incident earlier in his career.

A Career-Defining Appointment

The 46-year-old Vinčić, who will become the first Slovenian referee to oversee a FIFA World Cup final, expressed profound emotion upon learning of his selection. In a video released by FIFA, he described the news as a "shock" and an "incredible honour", noting that reaching the final is the ultimate ambition for any official. Spain vs Argentina: Single FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Ticket Soars Past INR 23 Lakh To Watch Lionel Messi Clash Against Lamine Yamal.

Slovenia's Slavko Vincic to Referee FIFA World Cup 2026 Final

Introducing your referee for the @FIFAWorldCup 2026 Final....🥁

Congratulations, Slavko Vinčić! 👏 pic.twitter.com/OMLJ3oA31p

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 17, 2026

Vinčić’s appointment is widely regarded by football authorities as a reward for his consistent performance throughout the 2026 tournament and his extensive experience in elite matches. His officiating team for the final will include compatriots Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič as assistant referees.

Context of the 2020 Police Incident

While Vinčić is now celebrated for his composure on the pitch, his name made international headlines in May 2020 for reasons entirely unrelated to sport. While visiting Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for what he described as a business meeting, Vinčić accepted an invitation to lunch at a private ranch. During the event, local police conducted a major raid targeting an alleged criminal operation involving prostitution and drug trafficking. Vinčić was among those briefly detained by authorities during the operation, which resulted in the seizure of weapons, narcotics, and cash. However, investigators quickly determined that Vinčić was not involved in the criminal activities. He was questioned by police strictly as a witness and was released without charge.

"I found myself on this ranch by chance," Vinčić stated following the incident, explaining that he did not know the criminal group under investigation. His national football association at the time confirmed that he was never a suspect, and the incident did not result in any disciplinary action against him.

A Resilient Rise to the Top

Despite the controversy, Vinčić’s career trajectory remained upward. Since the 2020 incident, he has reached several of the sport's highest milestones. He officiated matches at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His club-level resume is equally impressive, including refereeing the 2022 UEFA Europa League final and the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. FIFA World Cup Final 2026: Restaurants and Cafes in Delhi To Stay Open Till 4 AM, Says CM Rekha Gupta.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vinčić has already officiated three matches: the group stage draws between Brazil and Morocco and the clash between Jordan and Algeria, as well as Mexico’s victory over Ecuador in the round of 32. Sunday’s final will serve as the sixth World Cup match of his career, solidifying his standing as one of the most trusted officials in modern football.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2026 10:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).