FIFA has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the Mexico vs Ecuador match in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match is scheduled to take place on July 1, 2026. Vinčić, 46, is an experienced international referee who has officiated at major tournaments including UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Vinčić was born in Maribor, Slovenia, and has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010. He is known for his calm demeanor and strict application of the rules. In the 2022 World Cup, he refereed the group stage match between Belgium and Canada. He also officiated the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
For this match, Vinčić will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič as assistant referees. The fourth official will be from a different confederation, as per FIFA's standard practice for knockout matches.
Mexico and Ecuador are both seeking a spot in the Round of 16. The match is expected to be highly competitive, with both teams having strong fan bases and a history of intense encounters in World Cup qualifiers.
