Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will take charge of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, becoming the first official from his country to referee the tournament’s showpiece match.
The appointment also places the 46-year-old among an exclusive group, as he becomes only the 23rd referee in history to oversee a FIFA World Cup final.
Vincic was informed of the decision by FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, in an emotional moment captured in a video shared by FIFA.
Speaking after receiving the news, the Maribor-born referee admitted he was overwhelmed.
“First of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking. It’s an incredible honour to get the World Cup final,” Vincic said.
