World Cup VAR error admitted after Argentina‑Switzerland quarter‑final

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was found to have intervened incorrectly in the Argentina‑Switzerland quarter‑final. In the 69th minute, a yellow card was shown to Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, and two minutes later Swiss striker Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR review that should not have taken place under the rules. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) later acknowledged the mistake, noting that VAR is not permitted to review yellow‑card decisions.

A separate visit by Austrian sports newspaper Krone to the Austrian Football Association’s VAR centre in Vienna highlighted the differences between the World Cup setup and the domestic league, underscoring the broader debate over VAR usage in elite football.