Slavko Vincic's Controversial Past as World Cup Referee

Slavko Vincic, a 46-year-old Slovenian referee appointed by FIFA’s Referees Committee, led by Pierluigi Collina, to officiate the final of the 2026 World Cup, has been a professional referee since 2010. He has officiated significant matches, including a UEFA Champions League final.

However, his reputation was questioned in 2020 when he was arrested during a police raid in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a sex party was allegedly occurring. The raid resulted in about a dozen arrests, with illegal drugs, weapons, and money seized.

Vincic was released shortly after and has maintained that he was present for a business meeting, with no charges filed against him. Both UEFA and the Slovenian Football Association supported him following the incident.

Vincic has continued to officiate top-level matches and has a history of officiating matches involving Argentina and Spain, with Spain remaining unbeaten under his supervision as they pursue a second World Cup title.