VAR's 'mistaken identity' rule makes World Cup debut as Almiron booked for simulation against USA

The 2026 World Cup saw its first ‘mistaken identity’ VAR intervention on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, as referee Danny Makkelie reversed a yellow card shown to USA captain Tim Ream and instead booked Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron for simulation during the co-hosts’ Group D opener.

The incident occurred ten minutes into the second half. Almiron went to ground under a challenge from Ream, and Makkelie initially cautioned the American defender for what appeared to be a foul without the ball. VAR then intervened, prompting the Dutch referee to review the footage at the pitchside monitor.

After deliberation, Makkelie concluded that Almiron had simulated contact to deceive him — a scenario the new rule is specifically designed to address. Under the ‘mistaken identity’ protocol, a yellow card can be overturned through a VAR check when a player’s deception is deemed to have caused the original error in judgement. Ream’s booking was cancelled and the caution transferred to Almiron, marking the first time the rule has been applied at a World Cup.

The ruling added to an already dominant afternoon for the USMNT, who led 3-0 at half-time through a Paraguay own goal from Damian Bobadilla — set up by a mazy Christian Pulisic run on the left flank — and a brace from Folarin Balogun. USA limited Paraguay to zero big chances in the opening 70 minutes while creating four of their own.

Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Julio Enciso teed up Mauricio, but Giovanni Reyna sealed the result with a trivela finish in the 97th minute to make it 4-1.

The USMNT’s next Group D fixture is against Australia on June 19, with a place in the knockout rounds firmly in their sights.