Slavko Vinčić appointed for World Cup final as Szymon Marciniak's tournament ends after two group matches

FIFA has settled the referee lineup for the last two matches of the 2026 World Cup, and the decisions have sparked sharp reactions, particularly in Poland. Slovenian Slavko Vinčić will take charge of the final between Spain and Argentina, while Venezuelan Jesus Valenzuela handles the third-place match between France and England. For Szymon Marciniak, the Polish referee who officiated the 2022 final, the tournament ends with only two group-stage appearances.

Vinčić's path to the final

Vinčić, 46, will referee his first World Cup final. During the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico he had already overseen three matches: Brazil vs Morocco and Jordan vs Algeria in the group phase, plus Mexico vs Ecuador in the round of 32. He also refereed the 2024 Champions League final, where Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0. The final at East Rutherford kicks off on Sunday at 21:00 Polish time, with assistants Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič, and fourth official Adham Makhadmeh of Jordan.

Marciniak's early exit

Marciniak, from Płock, had been waiting in Miami for 19 days after his last match on 27 June, a 1-1 draw between Iran and Egypt. His only other assignment was Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria. After that opening game he faced criticism for not showing a yellow card to Lionel Messi for a foul from behind. Despite his experience and the 2022 final, he was passed over for every knockout round. Mateusz Borek, who will commentate the final for TVP, wrote that Marciniak was "treated strangely" and that many expected him to get either a historic appointment or the third-place match.

Dziwnie potraktowano Szymona Marciniaka na tym turnieju. Miał sędziować ćwierćfinał, potem półfinał, a na koniec myśleliśmy, że albo coś historycznego, albo spotkanie o 3. miejsce. Ostatecznie finał dla Słoweńca Slavko Vincicia, a mecz o 3. miejsce dla Wenezuelczyka Jesusa Valenzueli.

Polish backlash over Vinčić

For many Polish fans, Vinčić is remembered for a contentious playoff in March, where Poland lost 3-2 to Sweden. In that match, a foul called on Nicola Zalewski led to a Swedish free-kick and goal, and a penalty appeal by Jakub Kamiński was waved away. Bartosz Wieczorek of TVP Sport called the final appointment "absurd upon absurd," linking it to that playoff.

W nagrodę za wybornie' posędziowany mecz Szwecja-Polska Slavko Vincić posędziuje finał mundialu. Absurd nad absurdy.

Vinčić also attracted controversy in a Champions League quarterfinal between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, where he sent off Eduardo Camavinga with a second yellow card that many deemed unjustified. The Archivo VAR account on X summed up the mood: "FIFA trolls the whole world."

The announcement moment

FIFA's head of referees Pierluigi Collina revealed the assignments to the assembled officials, praising the gold-striped shirt designed for the final. "It's beautiful. It's wonderful. Just as great is that the referee in the final will be Slavko," he said. Vinčić hid his face in his hands, visibly moved, while Marciniak, seated one row behind, applauded with a serious expression.

Występ ze złotymi paskami to coś pięknego. Jestem pewny, że zgodzicie się ze mną. To piękne. To coś wspaniałego. Tak samo świetne jest to, że sędzią w finale będzie Slavko.

What remains

Vinčić's appointment, according to some media reports, may mark his last international match as a head referee. The third-place match between France and England, set for Saturday at 23:00 Polish time, will be officiated by Valenzuela with assistants Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno, and fourth official Jalal Jayed of Morocco. Marciniak is expected to return to Poland on Friday, his World Cup reduced to two group games and a long wait in Miami.