From a raid to the World Cup final: Vinčić’s redemption

On Sunday, 19 May, Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will officiate the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, a striking reversal from his May 2020 detention among 35 people during a police raid on a farm in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The contrast between a criminal investigation and football’s biggest stage underlines an extraordinary personal turnaround. The May 2020 operation targeted a farm in the city of Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of a crackdown on a drug‑trafficking and prostitution ring. Authorities aimed to dismantle the illicit network operating from the rural site. Police detained 35 people, among them the Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić. The large number of arrests highlighted the breadth of the operation. Officers also seized weapons, several packages of cocaine and large amounts of cash, underscoring the scale of the criminal network. Authorities described the collected evidence as serious. Vinčić later told the Slovenian newspaper Večer that he had travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina on business and accepted a lunch invitation without knowing the hosts’ character. He said he arrived at the farm by chance, was taken to the police station as a witness, and was released after statements confirmed he had no involvement, calling the invitation his biggest mistake.

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Following the incident, Vinčić faced no formal charges and was released immediately. Slovenia’s referees association publicly backed him, reaffirming his standing within the officiating community. A video later surfaced showing Vinčić crying and being embraced by colleagues after learning he would referee the World Cup final; the clip quickly went viral behind the scenes at FIFA. The emotional reaction highlighted the personal significance of the appointment. For the final, Vinčić will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, with Jordanian Adham Makhadmeh serving as fourth official. VAR duties will be overseen by Germany’s Bastian Dankert.

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At 46, Vinčić already boasts an impressive résumé, having refereed the most recent Champions League final where Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2‑0. He has also overseen three matches at this World Cup, including the 1‑1 draw between Brazil and Morocco. The journey from a detained bystander in a Bijeljina raid to the referee of the World Cup final illustrates a remarkable redemption arc and the confidence placed in him by football’s governing bodies.