Breel Embolo became the first player to be sent off under FIFA’s new mistaken identity rule at the 2026 World Cup. During the quarter-final match between Switzerland and Argentina on July 11 in Kansas City, Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation after a VAR review reversed an initial yellow given to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes [1, 2, 3, 4].

Embolo was first booked in the 44th minute for fouling Paredes. In the 72nd minute, VAR intervened and ruled that Paredes had been wrongly cautioned. The yellow card was rescinded from Paredes and transferred to Embolo as a second booking for simulation, resulting in his sending off [1, 2, 5, 4].

Switzerland had been building momentum after Dan Ndoye equalized prior to Embolo’s dismissal. However, the red card shifted the match in Argentina’s favor. Coach Murat Yakin criticized the mistaken identity rule as "unacceptable," calling the decision "extremely hurtful" and saying it "destroyed our game today," since the team was gaining ground before the sending off [6, 3, 7, 5].

Argentina capitalized on their numerical advantage and scored twice in extra time through Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martinez in the 121st minute, winning the game 3-1 and advancing to face England in the semi-finals [1, 6, 7, 5].

Embolo, 29, was visibly upset and left the pitch in tears, comforted by teammates [1, 6, 7, 4]. Some pundits expressed sympathy for Embolo but questioned the timing and impact of the decision. Jobi McAnuff remarked that while Embolo’s second booking was for simulation, "you can't help but feel sorry for him" [1]. Bradley Wright-Phillips said Embolo "has cost his team maybe getting through to the semi-finals [1]."

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged his team benefited from the red card, saying, "luck was on our side today... that’s when our team started attacking. We have to be realistic [2, 5]."

Embolo’s World Cup campaign had already faced issues after a visa delay postponed his arrival with the squad in California [2, 5].

The mistaken identity VAR rule allows referees to correct wrongly issued cautions or dismissals during matches. Today marked its first use in sending off a player at the tournament [1, 2, 3, 4]. The match ended with Argentina progressing to the semi-finals on July 11 after extra time.