Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has announced his retirement just one week after the conclusion of the World Cup final in the United States. Vincic, 46, faced considerable scrutiny following the tournament’s championship match, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time.

During the final, Vincic drew criticism for allowing a notably physical style of play from the Argentine team. Notably, he issued a red card to Argentina’s Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez during stoppage time at the end of regulation, reducing the team to ten men for the additional period. Reactions to Vincic’s decisions in the match varied, with some observers questioning the handling of fouls and disciplinary actions.

The Slovenian Football Association confirmed Vincic’s retirement in an official statement released shortly after the tournament, describing his departure as the conclusion of a “historic refereeing career at the top of the world.”

Vincic’s refereeing credentials include membership in UEFA’s elite group since 2019 and officiating at major international tournaments such as Euro 2020. At the 2024 European Championship, he was assigned to the semi-final between Spain and Italy. This summer’s World Cup saw Vincic oversee four matches, including Brazil’s opening Group C fixture against Morocco and Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the round of 16.

In recognition of his officiating performances, Vincic was named the World Cup’s best referee by both the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) and the Association of Italian Referees (AIA). The latter awarded him the Giulio Campanati Award, a biennial honor given to the top official at the World Cup or European Championship.

Vincic’s retirement ends a notable chapter in international football refereeing as he steps away following his highest-profile tournament to date.