---
title: "Slavko Vinčić Retires: The End of an Era for the Best Referee of the 2026 World Cup"
description: "Legendary Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has retired after the 2026 World Cup final 🏁. He became the first referee from Slovenia in a World Cup final and was recognized as the best referee of the tournament by IFFHS 🏆. We recall his journey: from Champions League finals to complex matches with Ukrainian teams ⚽️🇺🇦."
date: 2026-07-27T15:22:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/slavko-vincic-retires-after-2026-world-cup-final
tags: [slavko-vinchich, fifa, world-cup-2026, slovenia, referee]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Slavko Vinčić Retires: The End of an Era for the Best Referee of the 2026 World Cup

![Slavko Vinčić in FIFA World Cup 2026 referee kit raising finger, symbolizing retirement](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/27/slavko-vinchich-zavershil-karieru-posle-chm-2026/slavko-vinchich-zavershil-karieru-posle-chm-2026-1.webp)

A significant generational shift has occurred in the world of football. Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has officially announced the end of his professional career. The 46-year-old official decided to leave the big stage immediately after officiating the final match of the 2026 World Cup. This was reported by Sport RBC.UA citing an official statement from the Football Association of Slovenia.

### A Historic Conclusion

For Slovenian football, Vinčić's departure marks the end of an entire era. He became the first referee in history from Slovenia to be entrusted with officiating a World Cup final. His performance in the tournament's main match was rated extremely highly by experts. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) recognized Slavko as the best referee of the World Cup.

In the final, Vinčić showed firmness, issuing five yellow cards. All warnings were given to players of the Argentina national team, including a second yellow card to Enzo Fernández. Despite the strictness, the refereeing was deemed exemplary.

### Key Career Statistics

Slavko Vinčić's professional path lasted 26 years — from 2000 to 2026. During this time, he became one of the most in-demand referees in the world. His record includes:

- 50 matches in the Champions League;

- 6 matches at World Cups (4 games at the last World Cup and 2 at the 2022 World Cup);

- The Champions League final of the 2023/24 season between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund;

- The Europa League final of the 2021/22 season between Eintracht and Rangers.

### Interaction with Ukrainian Football

Slavko Vinčić has officiated matches involving Ukrainian teams on numerous occasions, and his work has generated significant resonance. Under his supervision, Donetsk's Shakhtar drew with Manchester City (1:1) and Inter (0:0), and also lost to Celta in the Europa League.

The Ukrainian national team also played under the watchful eye of the Slovenian. Under his refereeing, the Ukrainians secured an important victory over North Macedonia (2:0) in the Euro 2024 qualifiers and drew with France (1:1) in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

### Complex Memories for Dynamo

However, not all matches involving Vinčić left Ukrainian fans with pleasant impressions. A particular resonance was caused by the Europa League Round of 32 match between Kyiv's Dynamo and Guingamp. This match marked the Slovenian's debut at the European cup knockout stage.

The Kyiv team was leading 1-0, but at the end of the first half, Vinčić sent off Andriy Yarmolenko and Erik Baland. The match ended in a 1-2 defeat for the Ukrainian team. Nevertheless, in the second leg, Dynamo achieved a 3-1 victory and successfully advanced.

Thus, Slavko Vinčić ended his career at the peak of his fame, leaving behind the status of one of the best referees of modern times and numerous bright, and sometimes controversial, memories in the history of world football.