Fifa has insisted that Breel Embolo’s red card in Switzerland’s World Cup 2026 quarter-final defeat by Argentina was a correct application of the laws, describing the decision as a “correction of justice” and saying it has been welcomed by the game’s lawmakers, IFAB.
The Swiss forward was dismissed in the 72nd minute of the match, with the score at 1-1, after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention led to his second yellow card for simulation. Argentina went on to win 3-1 after extra time and progress to the semi-finals.
In a statement carried on Fifa’s official account on X, a Fifa spokesperson said the incident was handled in line with the governing body’s interpretation of the “wrong identity” provision, which allows referees to transfer a caution or sending-off to the correct player if the original decision targeted the wrong individual.
“Fifa’s interpretation of wrong identity has been applied consistently during the World Cup,” the spokesperson said. “There were two cases in which a player was initially identified in error as having committed an offence warranting a yellow card, and the VAR advised the referee to correct the factual error that resulted from the opponent’s simulation.”
The spokesperson stressed that the alleged dive itself was not in dispute and that the process was aimed at ensuring the right player was sanctioned.
“The simulation itself cannot be questioned, and it should not lead to a disciplinary sanction being imposed on an opponent that could have further consequences, such as a red card for a second yellow, or a suspension due to an accumulation of cautions,” the statement added.
Fifa: ‘Not a mistake by referee or VAR’
Fifa rejected suggestions that the match officials had mishandled the situation, framing the final outcome as the fairest possible application of the rules in the circumstances.
“We do not consider this to have been a mistake by the referee or the Video Assistant Referee, and the decision was a correction of justice,” the spokesperson said.
The governing body also addressed comments made by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the Laws of the Game, after the controversy surrounding the incident.
“We are aware of IFAB’s remarks in its circular,” the spokesperson continued. “We have been in contact with them throughout, and they have confirmed that this interpretation is correct and that it has been well received. It will form part of the discussions on the review of the VAR protocol, as was discussed at the most recent annual general meeting.”
How the incident unfolded
During the second half of the Argentina-Switzerland quarter-final, Embolo went to ground without contact with Leandro Paredes. Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro initially judged that the Argentina midfielder had fouled Embolo, awarding a free-kick to Switzerland and issuing Paredes a yellow card.
After a VAR review, however, the officials concluded that Embolo had simulated contact. Paredes’ booking was rescinded and the yellow card was instead shown to Embolo. As the Swiss forward had already been booked earlier in the match, the second caution resulted in his dismissal in the 72nd minute.
At the time of the red card, the game was level at 1-1. Argentina then made use of their numerical advantage in extra time, scoring twice to secure a 3-1 victory and a place in the last four.
Similar case earlier in tournament
Fifa also pointed to a comparable episode earlier in the tournament, involving Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron in a group-stage match against the United States.
In that game, Almiron was cautioned after VAR determined he had attempted to deceive the referee, again resulting in a yellow card being issued for simulation following a review.
According to Fifa, both incidents were handled according to the same interpretation of “wrong identity” within the VAR protocol, an approach which the organisation says will be part of ongoing discussions about potential refinements to video review procedures.
