Embolo’s second yellow card, after a video review for simulating being fouled, changed the momentum of the game in the 72nd minute soon after Switzerland tied the score at 1-1 against Argentina.
Referee Joao Pinheiro gives a red card to Switzerland’s Breel Embolo after a VAR check for ‘mistaken identity’ in the quarterfinal against Argentina.
| Photo Credit: AP
Football’s law-making panel clarified its guidance to referees, which confirmed that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Argentina.
Embolo’s second yellow card, after a video review for simulating being fouled, changed the momentum of the game in the 72nd minute soon after Switzerland tied the score at 1-1.
Argentina won 3-1 in extra time with help from the red-card decision that fueled complaints, including from previous opponent Egypt, referees were favoring Lionel Messi’s team with decisions.
The FIFA-backed rules panel known as IFAB published a clarification Monday that VAR protocol for “mistaken identity” cases was not eligible for that type of incident at the World Cup, though it could be in future competitions.
“However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded,” the Zurich-based IFAB said in a statement.
Embolo fell to the ground on being challenged by Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was shown a yellow card.
The VAR officials alerted the referee to the fact Paredes did not commit a foul and instead Embolo was shown a yellow, his second, and was sent off.
That is not how “mistaken Identity” is currently meant to be applied, which is to correct the referee when a card is shown to the wrong player who did not commit the original foul penalized.
“The referee made the wrong decision,” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said after the game in Kansas City. “I know they will protect their referee but this rule destroyed our game today, and it’s very painful, and to be eliminated in that way hurts a lot.”
ALSO READ | English football plans trial to deter tactical goalkeeper injury stoppages
IFAB clarified the card “can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense that was penalized; the offense itself cannot be reviewed/changed.”
A review of VAR protocol has been ongoing since March and IFAB acknowledged that incidents like Embolo’s are part of it.
“The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 was well received,” the Zurich-based group said.
IFAB is composed of FIFA-appointed officials and the four British football federations. Its annual meeting is each February or March to update The Laws of the Game that take effect for major tournaments or the next season.
Latest on Sportstar
- Live Blog
2026-07-28T15:42:24+05:30
CWG 2026, Medals Tally Live: India in eighth spot going into Day 6Team Sportstar - Why has IFAB ruled that Embolo red card in FIFA World Cup 2026 was wrong?AP
- CWG 2026: Sajan Prakash finishes last in heats of men’s 50 metre butterflyTeam Sportstar
Bitterness and disorder: Argentina rears its ugly head in World Cup final defeat to Spain
Football’s American Odyssey: How FIFA World Cup 2026 and United States consumed each other
Ayon Sengupta
+ SEE all Stories
More on FIFA World Cup 2026
- Why has IFAB ruled that Embolo red card in FIFA World Cup 2026 was wrong?AP
- FIFA World Cup — Cape Verde player Lopes Cabral’s strike against Argentina voted best goalAP
- FIFA World Cup 2026: Hot dog consumption worth 135 km, 6.8 million fans, 300,000 organising staff – the numbers behind the spectacleTeam Sportstar
Latest on Sportstar
- Live Blog
2026-07-28T15:42:24+05:30
CWG 2026, Medals Tally Live: India in eighth spot going into Day 6Team Sportstar - Why has IFAB ruled that Embolo red card in FIFA World Cup 2026 was wrong?AP
- CWG 2026: Sajan Prakash finishes last in heats of men’s 50 metre butterflyTeam Sportstar
