FIFA have effectively acknowledged that one of the most controversial officiating decisions of the 2026 World Cup should never have happened, with fresh evidence emerging as the governing body continues to deal with the fallout from Argentina's turbulent campaign.
Lionel Scaloni's side came under intense scrutiny throughout the knockout stages before eventually losing the final to Spain, with several flashpoints prompting FIFA investigations and fierce debate over refereeing standards.
IFAB ruling on VAR intervention
Now, attention has turned back to Argentina's quarter-final victory over Switzerland after football's lawmakers admitted an intervention by the video assistant referee was not actually permitted under the Laws of the Game. The incident centred on Switzerland striker Breel Embolo, who was shown a second yellow card after appearing to go down under a challenge from Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. Replays appeared to show there had been no contact from Paredes, with Embolo accused of attempting to win a foul through simulation. The referee reviewed the incident using the tournament's revised "mistaken identity" protocol before dismissing the Swiss forward, a decision that proved pivotal in the contest as Switzerland eventually lost after extra time.
However, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), whose laws govern the game and whose protocols are used by FIFA competitions, has since confirmed that the review should not have taken place under the current VAR laws. In a statement, IFAB said: "A yellow card (caution) other than a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the sanctioned offence; the offence itself cannot be reviewed or amended." The organisation added: "The use of the mistaken identity clause to address simulation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol. However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded."
FIFA's defence of the decision
FIFA responded to the IFAB and strongly defended their interpretation of the mistaken identity clause. On X, their FIFA Media account wrote: "FIFA's interpretation of Mistaken Identity was consistently applied during the FIFA World Cup. There were two instances in which a player was mistakenly identified as having committed a yellow card offence and the VAR advised the referee to correct the factual error caused by the opponent's simulation. The simulation itself cannot be disputed and it should not result in a disciplinary sanction against an opponent that may then lead to further consequences, such as a sending off for a second yellow card or a match suspension for accumulated cautions." They added: "We do not consider this to have been a referee or VAR error and the decision restored justice. We note IFAB’s comments in its Circular, we have been in contact with them throughout and they confirmed that this interpretation is valid, that it was well received and that it will form part of the discussion on revisions to the VAR Protocol, as discussed at the last AGM."
Fallout and ongoing investigations
The controversy reignited debate over Argentina's route through the tournament, with conspiracy theories circulating online during the World Cup alleging officials had favoured the South Americans. While there has been no evidence to support those wider claims, the latest clarification has added another twist to an already contentious campaign. Switzerland manager Murat Yakin was furious after the match and argued the dismissal had unfairly cost his side a place in the semi-finals. "We were punished for a rule that is completely unacceptable," Yakin said. "I don't understand. It is very painful we are eliminated that way. I don't think we deserved it and in my opinion our boys are the real heroes. The referee makes that one decision that he interfered, it is completely misunderstandable. That is a situation that happened many times previously. He awarded a yellow card. This rule destroyed our game today."
The latest revelation comes while FIFA's disciplinary investigation into Argentina's conduct during the World Cup final remains ongoing. Football's governing body launched an investigation after chaotic scenes followed the final whistle in the defeat to Spain, with several Argentina players and members of the coaching staff alleged to have confronted match officials and become involved in a post-match melee. FIFA has already appointed a prosecutor to examine the incidents, with potential suspensions and financial sanctions among the punishments that could be imposed. The investigation is also examining a number of other flashpoints involving Argentina during the latter stages of the tournament, meaning the fallout from the World Cup continues both on and off the pitch.
