The 2026 World Cup will go down as one of the most controversial in history and FIFA have been dealing with immense criticism.
Conspiracy theories, contentious refereeing decisions, the suspension of a red card ban and a brawl after a disappointing final marred the greatest tournament in football. Spain became champions, dethroning Argentina, whom the sporting body were accused of trying to ensure remained in the competition for as long as possible.
La Abiceleste’s journey to the final took many twists and turns, which included a drama-filled comeback victory over Egypt. They also beat Switzerland in the quarter-finals, taking advantage of Breel Embolo’s second-half sending off.
Argentina won 3-1 against the Swiss courtesy of goals from Alexis Mac Allister (10′), Julian Alvarez (112′), and Lautaro Martinez (120+1′). Their two extra-time goals came after Embolo’s red card in the 72nd minute and at that time the European nation were largely the better team.
Embolo received his marching orders after VAR opted to overturn Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro’s on-field decision. He initially ruled that Leandro Parades had fouled the Rennes forward, but VAR stepped in and deemed that there was no contact and handed the player a second yellow card for simulation.
A mistaken identity rule was used to send Embolo off and led to huge backlash, including from Switzerland manager Murat Yakin. He said that it “destroyed our game.” Others in the sport hit out at the ruling and two weeks later the IFAB (International Football Association Board) gave their verdict.
The IFAB released a statement this week and insisted that a yellow card “can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised.” The football lawmakers claim that although the use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation was “well received” during the World Cup, it will not be used “until a review is concluded.”
This wasn’t the only occasion the mistaken identity clause had been used during the tournament. Tim Ream had a yellow card rescinded after VAR alerted referee Danny Makkelie that the wrong player had been penalised for an offense in the USA’s 4-1 win over Paraguay during the group stage.
The booking was transferred to Miguel Almiron instead after Makkelie rewatched the incident on the pitchside monitor. The IFAB’s statement confirms that, technically, both uses of the clause were incorrect because neither player committed the same foul.
