FIFA confirmed, this Wednesday morning, the refereeing team responsible for commanding the Brazilian team’s first match at the World Cup. The clash against Morocco, scheduled for next Saturday, will be led by Slovenian judge Slavko Vinčić.
The professional will have the assistance of Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, who will act as line assistants, while Swiss Sandro Schaerer and Stephane de Almeida will play the roles of fourth referee and reserve referee, respectively.
International Experience
At 46 years old, Slavko Vinčić is making his debut in a World Cup edition, but he has matches of great relevance on the European stage, including the decisive duel between Sweden and Poland in the play-offs of the continent’s qualifiers. Furthermore, the referee was present in nine clashes throughout the last edition of the European Champions League, distributed between six matches in the group stage, one game in the round of 32, one in the round of 16 and another in the quarter-finals of the UEFA tournament.
Big challenge
The commitment will mark the first opportunity in which Vinčić referees a match for the Brazilian team, precisely in the country’s first official commitment in the world tournament against Morocco, a duel considered the most attractive of the opening round of the competition. The Slovenian will need to demonstrate emotional and technical control to manage the strong external pressure and relevance involved in the show on North American soil.
With the list of judges officially announced, the Brazilian squad directs its work towards the ideal tactical format before measuring forces with the Moroccans. The national team begins its journey towards its sixth world title in a match considered to be of a high technical level, although it is favored in the match. The duel is scheduled for next Saturday, starting at 7pm (Brasília time), at the MetLife Stadium, located in New Jersey.
See the other refereeing groups for games 5, 7 and 8 of the World Cup
Qatar x Switzerland (group B)
- Main referee: Said Martínez (HON)
- First Assistant: Walter Lopez (HON)
- Second assistant: Christian Ramirez (HON)
- Fourth referee: Oshane Nation (JAM)
- Reserve assistant referee: Caleb Wales (TT)
Haiti x Scotland (group C)
- Main referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)
- First assistant: Mokrane Gourari (ALG)
- Second assistant: Abbes Akram Zerhouni (ALG)
- Fourth referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
- Reserve assistant referee: Jose Enrique Naranjo (ESP)
Australia x Türkiye (group D)
- Main referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
- First assistant: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
- Second assistant: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
- Fourth referee: Kevin Ortega (PER)
- Reserve assistant referee: Michale Orue (PER)
