Sports
Who is the Referee for the World Cup 2026 Final?
The World Cup final is set and Spain will play Argentina to decide who lifts the famous trophy. With a month of action behind us, fans don’t have to wait long for the biggest showpiece in sport, which takes place on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA has now confirmed the team of officials who will run the rule over the match, with protocol dictating that such teams are appointed round by round, confirming only once fixtures are set, a few days before kick-off.
Here’s everything you need to know about the referee, his team of officials and the selection process.
World Cup 2026 Final Referee
Slavko Vincic has been selected as the referee for the 2026 World Cup final. The news was confirmed by FIFA a few days ahead of the match.
Vincic has refereed three matches at the 2026 World Cup, including the Group C game between Brazil and Morocco, the Group J game between Jordan and Algeria, and the Round of 32 tie between Mexico and Ecuador.
Across three games, he showed seven yellow cards and one red card.
|
Slavko Vincic World Cup Games |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Date |
Fixture |
Yellow Cards |
Red Cards |
|
June 14, 2026 |
Brazil 1-1 Morocco |
2 |
0 |
|
June 23, 2026 |
Jordan 1-2 Algeria |
2 |
0 |
|
July 1, 2026 |
Mexico 2-0 Ecuador |
3 |
1 |
Vincic, who hails from Slovenia, will be the first person from his country to take charge of a World Cup final. Following the announcement, Vincic revealed that he was shocked by the news, which was relayed to him by FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina, but said that it was “an incredible honour”.
“It’s something that is a dream for a referee, for a young referee when they start,” he told FIFA’s official website. “So, I’m very proud, very proud of myself, my team.”
Vincic’s appointment has prompted a divided response, with some supporters reacting negatively to the news.
World Cup 2026 Final Match Officials
Vincic will be assisted during the World Cup final by a team of officials hailing from Slovenia and Jordan.
Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic will run the lines as assistant referees, while Adham Makhadmeh will serve as the fourth official.
|
Role |
Official |
|---|---|
|
Referee |
Slavko Vincic |
|
Assistant Referee |
Tomaz Klancnik |
|
Assistant Referee |
Andraz Kovacic |
|
Fourth Official |
Adham Makhadmeh |
|
Reserve Assistant Referee |
Mohammad Alkalaf |
How Referees are Chosen
For the 2026 tournament, FIFA named the largest cohort of officials in World Cup history — with referees, assistant referees and video match officials.
An extended competition with more games than ever required more help and the selection process has reportedly spanned over three years under Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina and Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.
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“It’s a long process. There are many pieces of the puzzle, but they have had to be combined all together to get the picture of the final referee, and it’s something that goes (on) through the competition,” Collina said in an interview with the official FIFA website.
“Of course, the performances are [what] matter the most. Of course, the matches they refereed before, also the fact that his team is not playing (in) this competition, but mainly performances. At the end of the day, it’s what really matters.”
Drawn from all six confederations, there is a strong world representation. As mentioned, no referee can manage their country and matches are awarded ahead of time, but only a few days in advance for knockout ties.
Performances are reviewed — with some games, such as the France-Paraguay clash, needing more analysis than others — and strong group stage efforts can result in knockout games. Neutrality, fitness and performance under pressure will all feed towards the final decision.
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Newcastle United are monitoring a potential transfer bid for Manchester United winger Amad Diallo this summer as Eddie Howe prepares to work with a new-look Magpies squad.
The North East outfit have already seen Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali leave the club and Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as a top transfer target for Premier League champions Arsenal.
Newcastle United have added Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Touré and Sean Steur to their squad but none provide the Premier League experience lost by outgoings.
The Magpies join Brighton in keeping a close eye on Diallo, who is contracted at Old Trafford until 2030, although it is currently Serie A giants AC Milan who are frontrunners for a deal.
AC Milan frontrunners for Amad Diallo transfer
CaughtOffside reports that AC Milan are prepared to test Man United’s determination to hold on to the 24-year-old. Diallo was a regular starter under Michael Carrick last term but an exit is not out of the question, with the winger scoring just two goals in 33 appearances last season.
The outlet claims that the Red Devils have little reason to push through the sale of Diallo, who is still a valued part of Carrick’s work at the club, despite his barren run in front of goal.
AC Milan are now under the stewardship of former Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim, who is said to be in the market for a ‘young and inventive winger’ to bring to the San Siro. Diallo would fit that brief.
United would only consider a sale should Diallo push for the exit, and Amorim’s close relationship with the player could help when it comes to personal terms.
Diallo was especially disappointed to see the Portuguese coach sacked last season. After Amorim was given his marching orders, the winger said: “I was a bit sad because he’s the coach who gave me more visibility and more opportunities to play for Manchester United.
“I was very sad. I even sent him a message to thank him for everything he did for me, both in my life and especially in my career.
“We had a very good relationship, almost like a father-and-son relationship. He understood me, gave me a lot of advice, and let me play freely. It’s very unfortunate, but that’s life. You have to adapt, that’s football.”
Newcastle United wingers linked with St James’ Park exit
Newcastle United have just spent £43 million on Hoffenheim winger Touré, who is a like-for-like replacement for Gordon on the left wing.
While Diallo can play off the left, the former Sunderland man is more regularly deployed on the right and would offer a different profile for Howe.
The Magpies manager currently has Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy as options on the right, with Harvey Barnes also able to play in that position.
Murphy has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Everton this summer, with Barnes a potential target for Aston Villa – although those reports came before confirmation of the £19 million UEFA fine.
Man Utd paid £37 million to sign Diallo from Atalanta in 2021 and would likely command a fee of double that to consider an unexpected summer exit.
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Roberto De Zerbi Open To Richarlison Sale As Tottenham Receive Bid
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi could green light a marquee summer sale before the end of the window in order to seal another ‘statement’ signing, with the club having spent in excess of £200 million already this window.
Spurs have already recruited Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for significant fees. Meanwhile, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have arrived for free, but will weigh down the wage bill.
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“Richarlison is the one with a question mark over his future, and if he departs, Tottenham might be in the market for an out-and-out number nine as well. So they are going to continue to make signings between now and the end of the window, statement signings. If they can start, particularly over on that left-hand side.
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Tottenham paid £60 million to sign Richarlison from Everton in 2022, the Brazilian arriving on a five-year deal. That contract is set to expire in 2027, and Spurs will not want to see the forward leave the club for free in 12 months.
The 29-year-old has scored 32 goals since arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but never found enough consistency to prove that he can be trusted as the leading talisman.
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Richarlison scored 11 top flight goals last season, including two in his last four outings, but is likely to play second fiddle to Solanke.
There are suggestions from Italy that Juventus could be interested in signing the forward, should their long-term pursuit of Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta fail. Everton were also linked with a move for their former striker in January.
Spurs are also believed to have received an official offer for the striker from a Turkish side earlier this month, but the fee and whether Richarlison would consider a move to Turkey remain to be known.
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