First VAR Use to Change Yellow Card Recipient at 2026 World Cup
During a 2026 World Cup group stage match between the United States and Paraguay in Los Angeles, FIFA’s expanded VAR rules were applied for the first time. In the 51st minute, US defender Tim Ream was initially shown a yellow card for a foul on Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón. After VAR review citing mistaken identity, the referee rescinded Ream’s card and instead booked Almirón for diving. The new rules allow VAR intervention for incorrect second yellows, mistaken identity, and corner kick errors.
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Sources Confirm VAR Mistake in USA 4-1 World Cup Win Over Paraguay Helped USMNT
Sources have confirmed a VAR mistake occurred during the United States' 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the opening match of Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Referee Danny Makkelie initially showed US defender Tim Ream a yellow card for a foul on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron, but after reviewing the VAR monitor, he canceled the booking and instead yellow-carded Almiron for diving. While the decision was praised by commentators, sources told BBC Sport that the use of VAR in this instance was a procedural error. According to IFAB rules, VAR can only be used for mistaken identity when the wrong player is shown a card, not to review the nature of the offense itself. Makkelie effectively took the rule too literally, and the mistake benefited the USMNT by allowing Ream to avoid a yellow card and play the second half without disciplinary risk. The USMNT won with goals from Folarin Balogun (2), an own goal, and Gio Reyna.
Yardbarker: SoccerWorld Cup 2026: VAR diving decision sparks confusion over new mistaken identity rule
During the 2026 World Cup match between the United States and Paraguay, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR to review a yellow card given to USA captain Tim Ream for fouling Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. Reversing the decision, Makkelie instead booked Almiron for diving, a move widely praised as punishing simulation. However, BBC Sport reports that the decision was likely wrong under the International Football Association Board (Ifab) rules, as the 'mistaken identity' protocol only allows reviewing which player committed an offence, not the nature of the offence itself. The incident highlights confusion over numerous law changes introduced for this World Cup, including expanded VAR checks. Former England defender Phil Jagielka supported punishing diving but questioned where to draw the line. Fifa has not yet clarified the situation, and analysts say the search for perfection has led to confusion.
BBC SportNew VAR rule used to correct mistaken identity in US vs Paraguay World Cup match
During the 2026 World Cup Group D match between the United States and Paraguay in Los Angeles, referee Danny Makkelie initially booked US defender Tim Ream for a foul on Paraguay's Miguel Almirón. After play had restarted, VAR intervened under a newly expanded protocol allowing review of mistaken identity for yellow or red cards even after play resumes. Makkelie reviewed the incident at the monitor, rescinded Ream's yellow card, and instead booked Almirón for simulation. The incident marked one of the earliest uses of the expanded VAR powers introduced for the 2026 tournament, which include exceptions for clearly incorrect second yellows, mistaken identity, and certain wrongly awarded corner kicks.
Yardbarker: SoccerSwapped Identity: New Refereeing Rule Already Applied in a 2026 World Cup Match
In a 2026 World Cup match, referee Danny Makkelie became the first official to apply a new refereeing rule addressing mistaken identity. The incident occurred when Makkelie showed a yellow card to Paraguay's Miguel Almirón for simulation. The new rule, likely designed to prevent confusion over which player is penalized when multiple players are involved in an incident, was implemented for the first time in a World Cup setting. The match featured Paraguay and an unspecified opponent, with the rule change aimed at improving clarity and fairness in disciplinary decisions. The article, published by Record Portugal on June 13, 2026, highlights this as a milestone in football officiating.
RecordVAR Corrects Player Mix-Up: Almiron Booked for Diving in USA vs. Paraguay Match
During the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the USA and Paraguay, a player identification error occurred. The referee initially issued a yellow card to the wrong player, but after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the card was rescinded. The correct decision was then made against Paraguay's Miguel Almirón for simulation (diving). The referee announced: 'No contact, simulation by Attacker Paraguay, yellow card, free kick.' The incident highlights the effectiveness of VAR in correcting on-field mistakes, though it also caused temporary confusion among players and fans. The match is part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
Nachrichten - WELTVAR Corrects Player Mix-Up: Almiron Booked for Diving in USA vs Paraguay World Cup Match
During a FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the USA and Paraguay, a player mix-up occurred on the field. The referee initially issued a yellow card to the wrong player, but after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the card was rescinded. Instead, a correct decision was made: Paraguay attacker Miguel Almiron was shown a yellow card for simulation (diving). The referee stated, 'No contact, simulation by Attacker Paraguay, yellow card, free kick.' The incident highlights VAR's role in correcting officiating errors in real-time during high-stakes tournament matches.
Nachrichten - WELTReferee Applies New 'Mistaken Identity' Rule for First Time at 2026 World Cup
During the 2026 World Cup opening match between USA and Paraguay in Los Angeles, referee Danny Makkelie made history by applying a newly introduced rule for the first time. In the 51st minute, after initially awarding a foul and yellow card to US defender Tim Ream for a challenge on Paraguay's Miguel Almirón, the VAR intervened with a 'Mistaken Identity' check. Slow-motion replays revealed that Ream did not touch Almirón, who had taken a blatant dive. The referee withdrew the yellow card against Ream and instead issued a yellow card to Almirón for simulation. The incident caused confusion among players and fans but marked the first application of this new World Cup rule, which allows VAR to correct cases where the wrong player or team was penalized.
BILD - SportReferee Applies New 'Mistaken Identity' Rule for First Time at 2026 World Cup
During the 2026 World Cup opening match between the USA and Paraguay in Los Angeles, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie made history by applying a completely new rule for the first time. In the 51st minute, Makkelie initially awarded a free kick and showed a yellow card to US defender Tim Ream for a foul on Paraguay's Miguel Almirón. However, after a VAR review triggered by a 'Mistaken Identity' check—a new protocol never before displayed at a World Cup—slow-motion replays revealed that Ream had not touched Almirón, who had taken a blatant dive. Makkelie then withdrew the yellow card against Ream and instead issued a yellow card to Almirón for simulation. The incident caused confusion among players and fans but marked the first application of the new rule allowing video assistants to correct cases where the wrong player or team was penalized.
BILD - SportVAR makes 'mistaken identity' history as strange booking confuses fans in USA vs Paraguay World Cup match
The United States opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, but the match was overshadowed by a historic VAR intervention. Referee Danny Makkelie initially booked US defender Tim Ream for a foul on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. After the free-kick was taken, VAR sent Makkelie to the monitor, where he overturned his decision—something previously not allowed—and instead booked Almiron for diving. This marked the first VAR intervention for mistaken identity at a World Cup, enabled by a new FIFA rule allowing such corrections. The US led 3-0 at halftime after an own goal and a brace from Folarin Balogun. Paraguay pulled one back before Giovanni Reyna sealed the win with a stunning curling shot in stoppage time.
BBC SportVAR Used for First Time at World Cup to Change Yellow Card Recipient
In a historic first at the World Cup, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was used to change the recipient of a yellow card. Initially, US captain Tim Ream was shown a yellow card, but after a VAR intervention, the card was instead given to Paraguay's Miguel Almiron for diving. The incident marks the first time VAR has been used to alter a yellow card decision in a World Cup match. The scene is available in a video accompanying the report from kicker football.
kicker Fußball NewsVAR Intervenes to Issue Yellow Card to Paraguay's Almiron for Diving Against USA
During a World Cup Group D match between the United States and Paraguay in Los Angeles, a notable VAR intervention occurred in the 53rd minute. Dutch referee Danny Makkelie initially showed a yellow card to US defender Tim Ream for a tackle on Paraguayan Miguel Almiron. However, after reviewing video footage nearly two minutes later—even after the subsequent free kick had been taken—the referee reversed his decision. He canceled Ream's booking and instead issued a yellow card to Almiron for simulation (diving). This incident is an application of new VAR rules introduced at the start of the World Cup, which allow video assistance to intervene in three additional situations: correcting a second yellow card error, awarding corner kicks, and correcting the identity of a player receiving a yellow card. The article highlights how this rule change directly affected the match.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuVAR Exposes Cheeky Dive: New World Cup Rule Applied for First Time
During the 2026 World Cup opening match between the USA and Paraguay in Los Angeles, a new rule was applied for the first time in World Cup history. In the 51st minute, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie stopped play after being alerted by VAR. The video assistant reviewed a previous foul call and determined that US defender Tim Ream had not touched Paraguayan player Miguel Almirón, who had taken a blatant dive. The yellow card against Ream was rescinded, and Almirón received a yellow card for simulation. The incident marked the first use of a rule allowing VAR to intervene when the wrong player or team is penalized, causing major uproar among players and fans.
BILD - SportWorld Cup sees 'mistaken identity' law used for first time: 'It sets precedent for even more VAR'
During a 2026 World Cup match between the USMNT and Paraguay, referee Danny Makkelie initially booked US captain Tim Ream for a trip on Miguel Almiron. However, VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande intervened after play restarted, instructing Makkelie to review the incident. Upon review, Makkelie determined Ream made no contact and rescinded the yellow card, instead booking Almiron for simulation. This marked the first use of a new IFAB law allowing VAR to correct mistaken identity on yellow and red cards. Former Premier League referee Graham Scott noted the decision sets precedents for more VAR interventions, including allowing review after play restarts. The US won the match 3-0.
Soccer - The AthleticWorld Cup sees 'mistaken identity' law used for first time: 'It sets precedent for even more VAR'
During the 2026 World Cup match between the United States and Paraguay, referee Danny Makkelie initially booked USMNT captain Tim Ream for a trip on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. However, VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande intervened, prompting Makkelie to review the incident. Upon review, Makkelie determined Ream made no contact and rescinded the yellow card, instead booking Almiron for simulation. This marked the first use of IFAB's expanded mistaken identity law, which now allows VAR to intervene when a yellow or red card is shown to the wrong player, even after play has restarted. Former Premier League referee Graham Scott analyzed the decision, noting it sets precedents for more VAR interventions, including allowing reviews after play restarts. The USMNT won the match 3-0 at SoFi Stadium.
Soccer - The AthleticWorld Cup sees 'mistaken identity' law used for first time: 'It sets precedent for even more VAR'
During the 2026 World Cup match between the USMNT and Paraguay, referee Danny Makkelie initially booked US captain Tim Ream for a trip on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. However, VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande intervened, prompting Makkelie to review the incident. Upon review, Makkelie determined Ream made no contact and rescinded the yellow card, instead booking Almiron for simulation. This marked the first use of a new IFAB law allowing VAR intervention for mistaken identity on yellow and red cards, even after play has restarted. The rule change expands VAR's powers beyond previous limitations. Former Premier League referee Graham Scott noted this sets a precedent for more VAR interventions in the future. The USMNT went on to win the match 3-0 at SoFi Stadium.
Soccer - The AthleticCarlos Del Cerro Grande Protagonist of First Controversial VAR Decision in USA-Paraguay World Cup Match
The first controversial VAR decision of the 2026 World Cup occurred during the match between the United States and Paraguay, with Spanish referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande as the VAR official. In the second half, Paraguayan winger Almirón fell after minimal contact from US defender Ream near the box. Main referee Danny Makkelie initially showed a yellow card to Ream for a foul outside the area. However, Del Cerro Grande called for a VAR review. Replays showed Almirón had dived without significant contact. Makkelie then canceled the foul and yellow-carded Almirón for simulation. The VAR protocol was cited as 'mistaken identity,' but analysts argue this was incorrect, as the error was in foul interpretation, not identity. While the decision was fair, it reportedly violated new VAR rules limiting reviews to specific situations like second yellow cards, mistaken identity, and goal-related incidents.
FútbolFIFA's New VAR Rule Applied: Ream's Yellow Card Rescinded, Almiron Booked for Diving
During a World Cup group stage match between the United States and Paraguay, FIFA's new VAR rule was applied for the first time. In the 51st minute, Paraguay forward Almiron went down after a challenge by US defender Ream. The referee initially awarded a foul and yellow card to Ream. However, VAR intervened citing 'MISTAKE IDENTITY.' After reviewing the footage, the referee determined Ream had not fouled, rescinded his yellow card, and instead penalized Almiron for diving with a yellow card. FIFA's expanded VAR rules now allow intervention in three new situations: clearly incorrect second yellow cards, mistaken identity for yellow/red cards (including cross-team errors), and clearly incorrect corner kick decisions. The traditional mistaken identity rule was limited to errors within the same team; the new rule extends it to cases where the wrong player from the opposing team was penalized or no foul occurred at all.
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