IFAB: Video review that led to Breel Embolo dismissal against Argentina misapplied

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has ruled that Breel Embolo’s sending-off for Switzerland against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup quarter-final was incorrect, saying the video assistant referee (VAR) review that produced his second yellow card should not have taken place.

Embolo was dismissed in the 72nd minute in Kansas City, only minutes after Switzerland had levelled at 1-1, when VAR advised the referee to book him for simulation instead of penalising Leandro Paredes for a foul. Argentina went on to win 3-1 after extra time, a result many observers felt had been heavily influenced by the dismissal.

The decision sparked immediate controversy and fed wider criticism from players and coaches, including figures from Egypt’s national team, who argued that match officials had been favouring Lionel Messi’s side in key calls during the tournament.

IFAB clarifies limits of VAR use

In an explanation of VAR regulations published on Monday, the Zurich-based body clarified that the protocol relating to “mistaken identity” was not designed to be used in the way it was during that incident at the World Cup, and that its application in Embolo’s case was therefore not valid under the laws in force at the time.

IFAB stressed that, during the 2026 tournament, the “mistaken identity” clause could only be used to correct the identity of the player who committed an offence – not to re-referee whether any offence had occurred in the first place.

“The caution can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that has been penalised and cannot be used to review or change the offence itself,” IFAB said, outlining the current restrictions on VAR intervention.

The body acknowledged that scenarios such as the Embolo incident are now part of an ongoing wider review of the VAR protocol, which has been under examination since March. IFAB added that using the mistaken identity provision to address acts of simulation at the 2026 World Cup “was well received”, but made clear that any formal change has not yet taken effect.

“However, the protocol may not be used in this way until that review is completed,” IFAB said in its statement.

How the decision unfolded

Embolo went to ground after a tussle with Argentina midfielder Paredes, who was initially shown a yellow card by the referee for the challenge.

Following that on-field decision, the VAR team informed the referee that Paredes had not committed a foul. The referee then rescinded the caution for the Argentina player and instead booked Embolo for simulation. As it was the Swiss forward’s second yellow card of the match, he was sent off.

According to IFAB, this chain of events falls outside the intended scope of the mistaken identity rule, which is meant purely to correct cases where the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player for an offence that unquestionably occurred.

Switzerland anger and ongoing review

Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin was outspoken in his criticism immediately after the match at Kansas City.

“The referee made the wrong decision,” Yakin said. “I know they will protect their referee, but this rule destroyed our game today, and that hurts a lot. To go out of the World Cup in this way is very painful.”

The incident has since become a reference point in IFAB’s broader reassessment of how VAR is used, particularly around subjective elements such as simulation and the threshold for intervention.

Role of IFAB in the laws of the game

IFAB, which is recognised by FIFA as the independent guardian of the Laws of the Game, is made up of representatives appointed by the world governing body alongside delegates from the four British football associations: the English FA, the Scottish FA, the Football Association of Wales and the Irish FA.

The board meets annually, typically in February or March, to agree any amendments to the laws. Approved changes usually come into effect in major competitions or at the start of the following domestic season.

Any future adjustment to VAR protocols arising from the current review – including how mistaken identity is interpreted in relation to simulation – would follow that same process before being introduced into top-level football.