The VAR review was carried out under new rules introduced for the 2026 World Cup
Switzerland’s players and coaching staff criticised the use of VAR after Breel Embolo was sent off in their World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.
The critical moment came shortly after Switzerland had equalised through Dan Ndoye in Kansas City. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially booked Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes after a challenge on Embolo, but a VAR review led to the yellow card being withdrawn and issued instead to the Swiss forward for diving.
Because Embolo had already been booked in the first half, the revised decision resulted in a red card and Switzerland were left to play the rest of normal time and extra time with 10 men. Argentina went on to progress to the semi-finals.
The review was carried out under an expanded interpretation of the “mistaken identity” law introduced for the 2026 World Cup. The change allows VAR to intervene not only when the wrong player from one team is cautioned, but also when a booking should instead be given to an opponent.
Video replays appeared to show Embolo beginning his fall before any contact from Paredes. After reviewing the footage, Pinheiro cancelled the yellow card shown to the Argentina midfielder and booked Embolo instead.
The incident was the second use of the revised mistaken-identity protocol at this World Cup, following its earlier application during USA’s opening match against Paraguay.
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin questioned both the rule and its application.
“It’s completely not understandable,” Yakin said. “I know that they will protect their referee but this rule destroyed the game today.”
He added: “First of all, there was definitely no reason to award that yellow card. I don’t understand it, it was a harmless situation.”
The Switzerland captain, Xhaka, said the dismissal completely changed the contest at a point when his side had the advantage.
“We took our chance, we scored on the pitch, we felt very good,” Xhaka said. “We had more energy, we had more belief as well, and the red card changed everything. I think the red card changed our game plan, what we had from the beginning, which was very positive.
“If you have to lose because of one decision from the referee, it is painful. But it was his decision.”
Asked about the use of VAR in such situations, Xhaka said: “The rules are the rules, and we can’t change the rules, but it’s a decision where you kill the game.
“It is my opinion. I don’t know what else he can do but just don’t kill the game. I think that we were so good in the game inside. I believe that 11 against 11, we will have had them.”
Remo Freuler also questioned why the incident warranted intervention from the video officials.
“It’s just a disaster,” the midfielder said. “I don’t know what the referee is doing here. I don’t understand why they call him for a situation like this because there are many fouls [like this] in the first half. Maybe he has to call them for yellow card too.
“I don’t understand how can VAR change a game with this situation. Just let the referee do this thing, you know?”
Yakin revealed after the match that Embolo was struggling to come to terms with the decision.
“You can imagine how he’s doing,” Yakin said. “He is shattered. He couldn’t help the team today. It hurts us and it hurts him. It was a referee mistake.”
