A week into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, controversy over one incident is still simmering. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), football’s law-making body, has clarified that the decision to send off Swiss forward Breel Embolo with a red card in the Argentina-Switzerland quarter-final was incorrect.
In a statement released Monday, IFAB said showing Embolo a second yellow card in the second half — with the match tied 1-1 — did not align with current VAR protocols.
Embolo fell to the ground in the 72nd minute after a challenge from Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes. Portuguese referee João Pinheiro initially showed Paredes a yellow card. Following a VAR review, however, the decision was reversed: Paredes’ card was rescinded, and Embolo was instead shown a second yellow for simulation, resulting in his dismissal.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Switzerland fought hard and took the match to extra time but couldn’t find an equalizer. Goals from Julián Álvarez in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez in stoppage time gave Argentina a 3-1 win, sending them through to the semi-finals.
IFAB said that under current rules, VAR can only intervene to correct which player receives a card for an offense — it cannot be used to review or overturn whether an offense actually occurred.
“In cases involving a card that is not a second yellow, VAR can only be used to identify the correct player who committed the offense. There is no scope to review or reconsider the offense itself,” IFAB said in its statement.
The organization added that the use of the “mistaken identity” clause in situations like the Embolo incident had been well received during the 2026 World Cup, but clarified that the method cannot be formally adopted for such use until a full review of VAR protocol is completed.
After the match, Switzerland coach Murat Yakin called the decision unacceptable, saying, “It ruined our game. We have to accept the decision, but it’s incredibly painful to lose this way. I know they’ll defend their referee, but this rule wrecked our match today — it’s very painful, and it hurts deeply to go out of the tournament like this.”
Argentina, who won that match and advanced to the semi-finals, ultimately lost 1-0 to Spain in the final.
