The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has clarified that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Argentina.
The incident occurred in the 72nd minute of the match in Kansas City, with the score tied at 1-1. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card after a challenge involving Embolo. Following a VAR review, the referee overturned the decision, ruling that Paredes had not committed a foul and instead booked Embolo for simulation. As it was Embolo’s second yellow card of the match, he was sent off.
Switzerland went on to lose 3-1 after extra time. The red card significantly shifted the momentum of the game and drew strong criticism from the Swiss camp.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin described the decision as wrong and said it destroyed their chances. He expressed frustration that the team was eliminated in such a manner.
In a clarification issued on Monday, IFAB stated that the current VAR protocol for “mistaken identity” does not allow the offence itself to be reviewed or changed in the case of a yellow card that is not a second yellow. The protocol only permits checking which player committed the penalised offence. In this instance, the application of the protocol to punish simulation was not permitted under the rules in force at the World Cup.
IFAB noted that while the use of the mistaken identity clause to address simulation was well received during the tournament, it cannot be applied in this way until a formal review of the VAR protocol is completed. Such a change may be considered for future competitions.
The clarification has confirmed that Embolo’s dismissal was the result of an incorrect application of the VAR process.