Slavko Vincic, the official chosen for the World Cup final, once found himself caught up in a police raid at what was described as a ‘sex party’.
The Slovenian referee has been selected to oversee the final between Spain and Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the match set for Sunday, July 19, in New York/New Jersey. FIFA said Vincic was informed of the appointment by Pierluigi Collina, and footage shared online showed the moment he was told the news, appearing visibly emotional as the significance of the call sank in.
The appointment makes Vincic the 23rd referee in history to take charge of a FIFA World Cup final and the first Slovenian to do so. He has also become one of Europe’s most trusted officials in recent years, having handled major UEFA matches including the 2024 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
Although he has not taken charge of many Argentina matches, one of the most notable came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
That match took place at Lusail Stadium on November 22, when Argentina opened their campaign against Saudi Arabia.
Vincic awarded Argentina a penalty in the eighth minute, and Lionel Messi converted from the spot.
Even though Saudi Arabia picked up six yellow cards across the game, they mounted a comeback after the break and stunned Argentina with a 2-1 win.
The moment Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, announced the referees for the @FIFAWorldCup Final and Bronze Final 🙌 pic.twitter.com/5wS5JHmAi9
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 18, 2026
That remains the only match Messi has lost with Vincic as the referee.
Still, there was a moment in 2020 when it seemed possible Vincic’s career could be sidetracked entirely.
In May of that year, he was swept up in a raid targeting drugs and prostitution during what he later described as a business lunch in Bijelina, Bosnia.
Yahoo! reported that officers recovered cocaine, 10 pistols, more than £8,000 in cash and three protective vests. Vincic was also questioned as police worked to establish why he had been at the gathering.
According to The Sun, the referee said he had simply ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time while attending a business meeting.
He was ultimately released after authorities determined he had no connection to the criminal group involved, though the incident was clearly an unforgettable one.
Vincic told Slovenian media: “I found myself on this ranch by chance. I have my own company, I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting.
“I accepted an invitation to lunch, which turned out to be my biggest mistake. I regret it. I was sitting at a table with my company, all of a sudden the police came and what happened, happened.
“I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested and detained, nor do my business partners.
“Yes, they really took us to the police, asked [us] as witnesses, when it turned out that we didn’t even know them, we were able to go.”
Now 46 and from Maribor, Slovenia, Vincic has continued progressing at the highest level of the game. He has been on FIFA’s international list since 2010 and remains one of UEFA’s leading officials, with recent assignments at the top end of the Champions League helping cement his standing.
FIFA said he was informed of his World Cup final appointment by Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee.
He admitted the news left him stunned.
“So, first of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking, so it’s an incredible honour to get the (FIFA) World Cup final,” he said. “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.“
With the selection, Vinčić becomes the 23rd referee to take charge of a FIFA World Cup final and the first Slovenian to do so.
“First of all, 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,” he said. “So, yeah, I’m very proud. My team is very proud and we will do our best.”