Who is the referee and VAR in Brazil vs Morocco at FIFA World Cup 2026?

Brazil will aim to start their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a high as they take on Morocco in the group stage opener in New York on Saturday.

The five-time world champions have brought in Real Madrid’s most successful coach, Carlo Ancelotti, with the hope of redemption and will hope the giant killers from North Africa do not spoil their party in the US.

Morocco, on the other hand, surprised the football world four years ago with a fourth place at the World Cup. If she enters the 2026 edition as reigning African champion, she will look to improve on that in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Who is the referee in Brazil versus Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Slavko Vinčić of Slovenia will be the referee in Brazil versus Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Vinčić has been an internationally listed referee for FIFA since 2010. The 45-year-old refereed the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium.

Vincic has been involved in controversies both on and off the field. In 2020, he was arrested for his alleged involvement in prostitution and drug trafficking. Ultimately, however, he was cleared of all wrongdoing.

Vincic refereed the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, and recently featured in the UCL quarter-final this season. He was also the man-in-the-middle in the EURO 2024 semi-final between France and Spain.

In this season’s Champions League quarter-final, he was criticized by Real Madrid for sending off Eduardo Camavinga, a decision that had a major impact on the results as Bayern won the match 4-3.

Full list of match officials:

• Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)

• Assistant referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik (Slovenia)

• Assistant referee 2: Andraž Kovačič (Slovenia)

• Fourth Official: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)

• Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Bastian Dankert (Germany)

• Assistant VAR (AVAR): Willy Delajod (France)

Published on June 13, 2026