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Slovenian Slavko Vinčić to referee World Cup final as FIFA picks a European for Argentina-Spain game
By GRAHAM DUNBAR, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday will be refereed by Slavko Vinčić of Slovenia, two years after he was in charge of a Champions League final. FIFA announced the pick late Thursday. It's the second straight World Cup final where Argentina, now the defending champion, will ...
Key takeaway It's the second straight World Cup final where Argentina, now the defending champion, will have a European referee to [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
For Valley residents with ties to Argentina or Spain, Sunday's World Cup final is more than just a game, it's a chance to see their heritage on the global stage. The match between Argentina and Spain will undoubtedly draw large crowds to local watch parties and gatherings, where fans will be cheering on their favorite team. As the defending champion, Argentina's presence in the final is likely to generate significant interest in the Rio Grande Valley's sizable Argentine community. Meanwhile, Spain's appearance will also resonate with local residents who trace their roots back to the European nation. With a European referee at the helm, fans will be watching closely to see how the officiating impacts the game, and potentially, the outcome. As the Valley comes together to watch the big match, local businesses can expect a boost in sales, particularly those showing the game or serving traditional Argentine and Spanish cuisine.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday will be refereed by Slavko Vinčić of Slovenia, two years after he was in charge of a Champions League final. FIFA announced the pick late Thursday. It's the second straight World Cup final where Argentina, now the defending champion, will ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by GRAHAM DUNBAR, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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