FIFA has officially appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to oversee Morocco’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a highly anticipated clash against Brazil in Group C. The Atlas Lions will begin their campaign on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, where they will face one of the tournament favorites in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round.
Experienced Slovenian Official Gets the Nod
Vinčić will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačić, while Swiss referee Sandro Schärer has been named fourth official. Stéphane De Almeida will serve as reserve assistant referee. The appointment reflects FIFA’s desire to place one of Europe’s most experienced match officials in charge of a high-profile encounter expected to attract global attention.
A Referee for the Biggest Stages
At 46 years old, Vinčić has built a reputation as one of the leading referees in international football.
His recent appointments include some of the sport’s most prestigious matches:
- UEFA Champions League Final 2024: Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
- UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-final: Spain vs France
- UEFA Europa League Final 2022: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Rangers
His experience in managing high-pressure contests is expected to be a valuable asset as Morocco and Brazil meet in a crucial opening fixture.
A Major Early Test for Morocco
The match will represent an immediate challenge for the Atlas Lions, who enter the tournament carrying high expectations following their historic run at the 2022 World Cup. Facing five-time world champions Brazil in their first group-stage game, Morocco will have an opportunity to make an early statement and strengthen its chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.
With a place among world football’s emerging powers already established, the Atlas Lions will be eager to prove once again that they can compete with the sport’s biggest nations on the grandest stage.
