Howard Webb appointed referee for World Cup final

British referee Howard Webb has been named by FIFA as the man in charge for Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Netherlands at Johannesburg's Soccer City.

Webb, a Premier League regular, will be the first Englishman to run the final since Jack Taylor in 1974.

He is also the first referee to take charge of the World Cup and Champions League finals in the same year, The Sun reports.

The 38-year-old will be backed by English assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey.

The trio has officiated at three games in the tournament, including finalists Spain's shock 1-0 first-round defeat to Switzerland.

About 750 million people worldwide are expected to watch the game.

Blatter hopeful about Mandela presenting trophy

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is likely to be given the honor of presenting the World Cup trophy to the winner of Sunday's final, if he attends the match, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday.

"If he comes and stays to the end (of the final), then it is possible he will present the trophy," Sports24 quoted Blatter as telling a press briefing in Johannesburg.

"We all know the reason why Madiba could not attend the opening ceremony also at Soccer City, due to sad bereavement in his family. But we hope he can attend the final. Presenting the trophy would be a fitting honor for South Africa and Africa as Mandela was one of the driving lights to bring the World Cup to South Africa," Blatter said.