FIFA confirms error in Switzerland red card against Argentina in 2026 World Cup quarterfinal

SALADIN, Iraq — ZURICH — FIFA's disciplinary panel ruled that the red card shown to Switzerland striker Breel Embolo in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina was an error. Embolo was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card when the match was tied 1-1, and Argentina went on to win 3-1 in extra time in Kansas City. Portuguese referee João Pinheiro first showed a yellow card to Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes before overturning the decision to a booking for Embolo following a VAR review. FIFA's panel found that the referee had misidentified the player who committed the foul and that VAR had wrongly intervened in a case involving the nature of the foul itself. In its statement, FIFA underlined that VAR may step in only when there is a clear error of identity, not to reassess the foul itself. The body called for a full review of the protocol governing identity-error reviews before the procedure is applied again. Switzerland coach Murat Yakin called the decision "unacceptable." Argentina advanced from the quarterfinal but lost the final 1-0 to Spain.