FIFA’s new ‘Mistaken Identity’ law — at the World Cup

The new ‘Mistaken Identity’ rule, introduced by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, has now been put into practice. Swiss forward Breel Embolo became the first player to be sent off as a direct result of this refereeing amendment, marking a potential turning point in how VAR technology is utilized.

During the quarter-final match between Switzerland and Argentina, Portuguese referee João Pinheiro initially issued a yellow card to Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, believing he had committed a foul against Embolo. However, a VAR review revealed that the situation was the opposite: the Swiss forward had actually attempted to deceive the referee to win a free kick.

After reviewing the footage, the referee rescinded the caution given to Paredes and applied the ‘Mistaken Identity’ rule, issuing the yellow card to Embolo instead. Because the Swiss forward had already received a prior caution, this resulted in a second yellow card and a subsequent red card in the 72nd minute. Embolo left the pitch in tears, just five minutes after his team had scored an equalizer.

FIFA — Amendment empowers referees

This decision represents the first sending-off in football history resulting from the ‘Mistaken Identity’ rule—one of the most significant amendments approved by FIFA at the request of Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina prior to the 2026 World Cup.

The amendment aims to rectify refereeing errors when cards are issued to the incorrect player. Following a video review, it permits the cancellation of a penalty incorrectly assigned to one player and its transfer to the individual who actually committed the foul, whether from the same team or the opponent.

In Embolo’s case, the impact of the review went beyond correcting the identity of the sanctioned player; it led directly to his expulsion, as the transferred card became his second yellow of the match.

The Embolo incident

Although the Embolo incident was the first to result in a sending-off, the law was first applied during a group stage match between the United States and Paraguay.

In that game, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie cautioned American defender Tim Ream following a foul on Miguel Almirón. However, a video review revealed that the Paraguayan player was the one who had attempted to deceive the referee. Consequently, the warning to Ream was canceled, and the yellow card was transferred to Almirón. While this marked the first official use of the new law, it did not lead to a dismissal.

These incidents demonstrate FIFA’s move to grant referees broader authority to correct errors regarding the identity of the offending player. This initiative aims to enhance officiating justice, even when it results in decisive rulings that alter the course of a match following a VAR review.

Featured image via the Canary