World Cup 2026: Embolo’s red card against Argentina a mistake? FIFA responds to IFAB’s ‘admission’

FIFA World Cup 2026 may have ended with Spain deservedly emerging champions defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final, but the latter’s controversial run to the title clash continues to haunt them and their fans.

Among the debatable refereeing decisions that allegedly went Argentina’s way in the tournament, was the red card shown to Switzerland’s Breel Embolo in the quarterfinal clash. The key moment came in the 72nd minute of the match, shortly after Switzerland had equalised to make the score 1-1. Referee Joao Pinheiro awarded a foul to Switzerland after a challenge by Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes on Embolo, which saw Paredes get a yellow card.

However, after the VAR intervened, Pinheiro concluded that Paredes had made no contact and that Embolo had dived. He overturned the foul, rescinded Paredes's yellow card and instead booked Embolo for simulation. The second yellow resulted in his dismissal and it completely changed the game's momentum as Argentina, with a one-man advantage, went on to win 3-1 in extra time.

According to International Football Association Board (IFAB) laws, VAR is prohibited from intervening on standard yellow cards or reviewing simulation offences unless they relate to a penalty or a direct red card. VAR can only intervene for mistaken identity when the referee awards a card to the wrong person for an offence that actually occurred.

The red-card decision sparked outrage, and added to claims from previous opponents like Egypt that referees were making decisions that favoured Lionel Messi's team. "The referee made the wrong decision," Switzerland coach Murat Yakin had said after the match. "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."

On Monday, the IFAB, the FIFA-backed panel responsible for the laws of the game, confirmed that the red card should not have been given. “A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed/changed,” the Zurich-based IFAB said in a statement.

It explained that the VAR protocol for "mistaken identity" cases was not applicable to the Embolo incident at the World Cup, though it could be in the future. “The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the World Cup was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol announced in circular no. 32. However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded.”

IFAB comprises officials appointed by FIFA and representatives from the four British football federations. The panel holds its annual meeting in February or March to update the official Laws of the Game, which then take effect for the following season or major tournaments.

FIFA, however, held its ground on the decisions. “FIFA’s interpretation of Mistaken Identity was applied consistently throughout the FIFA World Cup. There were two instances in which a player was mistakenly identified as having committed a yellow-card offense, and VAR advised the referee to correct the factual error caused by the opponent’s simulation,” the world football body said in a statement.

“We do not consider this to have been an error by the referee or VAR, and the decision restored justice. We noted IFAB’s comments in its Circular, have been in contact with them throughout the process, and they confirmed that this interpretation is valid, was well received, and will form part of the discussion regarding revisions to the VAR Protocol, as discussed at the recent AGM.”