The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has acknowledged that VAR was incorrectly used during Switzerland forward Breel Embolo’s controversial sending-off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
The football law-making body clarified that VAR can only intervene in cases of mistaken identity to identify the correct player involved in an offence. It cannot be used to review or change the nature of the original foul, including deciding whether a player committed simulation.
The controversy occurred when Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge on Embolo. Following a VAR review, the referee cancelled Paredes’ booking and instead cautioned Embolo for simulation, resulting in the Swiss striker receiving a second yellow card and being sent off.
IFAB later stated that the VAR intervention did not follow the correct protocol because the review went beyond identifying the player involved and effectively changed the offence itself.
Switzerland were reduced to 10 men and eventually lost 3-1 after extra time, with the decision becoming one of the tournament’s most debated refereeing moments.
IFAB’s clarification could lead to further adjustments to VAR guidelines in future competitions, subject to formal approval.
