
<p><strong>FIFA</strong> has pushed back against the <strong>IFAB’s</strong> own admission that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ifab-confirms-there-was-a-mistake-in-breel-embolos-sending-off-vs-argentina-at-the-2026-world-cup/"><strong>Breel Embolo’s</strong> red card against <strong>Argentina</strong></a> in the <strong>2026 World Cup</strong> quarterfinals was the result of a <strong>misapplied VAR protocol.</strong></p>



<p>Hours after the IFAB’s circular acknowledged an error in how the “<strong>mistaken identity</strong>” clause was used, a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/fifa/">FIFA</a> spokesperson issued a statement <strong>defending the decision</strong> and disputing the framing that anything went wrong.</p>



<p>The controversy took place when the referee booked <strong>Leandro Paredes</strong> for committing a foul, before VAR intervened under the mistaken identity clause and corrected the call, determining <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/breel-embolo/">Embolo</a> had dived. This resulted in the caution being switched to the Swiss player, which was his second yellow card, resulting in a sending-off.</p>



<p>The IFAB’s circular stated that this specific escalation fell outside how the clause is meant to function, since it’s designed only to correct which player receives a card, not to reclassify or add consequences to the underlying offense.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">⚽️ 🗣️ FIFA Spokesperson:<br><br>“FIFA&apos;s interpretation of Mistaken Identity was consistently applied during the FIFA World Cup. There were two instances in which a player was mistakenly identified as having committed a yellow card offence and the VAR advised the referee to correct the… <a href="https://t.co/yiAi52t58r">pic.twitter.com/yiAi52t58r</a></p>— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) <a href="https://x.com/fifamedia/status/2082195114487591397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Full statement from the FIFA spokesperson</h2>



<p><em>“FIFA’s interpretation of Mistaken Identity was consistently applied during the FIFA <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a>. There were two instances in which a player was mistakenly identified as having committed a yellow card offence and the VAR advised the referee to correct the factual error caused by the opponent’s simulation.</em></p>


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<p><em>The simulation itself cannot be disputed and it should not result in a disciplinary sanction against an opponent that may then lead to further consequences, such as a sending off for a second yellow card or a match suspension for accumulated cautions.</em></p>



<p><em>We do not consider this to have been a referee or VAR error and the decision restored justice. We note IFAB’s comments in its Circular, we have been in contact with them throughout and they confirmed that this interpretation is valid, that it was well received and that it will form part of the discussion on revisions to the VAR Protocol, as discussed at the last AGM,”</em> the statement read.</p>



<p>The other case referenced in FIFA’s statement is the near-identical situation from the group stage between the <strong>United States</strong> and <strong>Paraguay</strong>, where <strong>Tim Ream</strong> was originally booked for a foul on <strong>Miguel Almiron</strong>, before VAR corrected the identity and Almiron was booked for simulation instead.</p>



<p>FIFA’s framing suggests <strong>it views both instances as properly handled applications of the rule</strong>, rather than as procedural errors, setting up a disagreement with the governing body that actually writes the Laws of the Game.</p>


FIFA pushes back on IFAB over Breel Embolo’s World Cup sending-off vs Argentina

FIFA pushes back on IFAB over Breel Embolo's World Cup sending-off vs Argentina - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Seventeen days after <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a>‘s</strong> 3-1 extra-time win over <strong>Switzerland</strong> in the <strong>2026 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup">World Cup</a></strong> quarterfinals, the <strong>International Football Association Board</strong> has admitted there was an error in the red card shown to <strong>Breel Embolo</strong> during that match.</p>



<p>The Swiss forward was sent off in the <strong>72nd minute</strong> after a VAR review resulted in a <strong>second yellow card for simulation</strong>, a decision that shifted the momentum of the game.</p>



<p>The sequence began when referee <strong>Joao Pinheiro</strong> had booked <strong>Leandro Paredes</strong>, believing he had committed a foul on the Swiss forward. The play was reviewed under the “<strong>mistaken identity</strong>” concept, but upon noticing how blatant the simulation was, the Portuguese official showed <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/breel-embolo/">Embolo</a> the second yellow card, something that, according to the governing body of the Laws of the Game, <strong>was mistaken.</strong></p>



<p>In a circular published on Tuesday, the governing body clarified that a yellow card, when it isn’t already a second yellow, can only be reviewed to correct the identity of the offending player, <strong>explaining the offense itself cannot be reviewed</strong> <strong>or altered once the identity has been fixed</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/07/28120344/embolo-red-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-668988"><figcaption>Referee Joao Pinheiro shows a red card to Breel Embolo #7 of Switzerland. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>That distinction is what made Embolo’s dismissal improper: the process was designed <strong>to fix who gets the card</strong> in case of booking someone who didn’t commit the foul, <strong>not to reclassify the type of infraction that led to it.</strong></p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/world-cup/lisandro-martinez-responds-to-anti-argentina-campaign-and-denies-disrespecting-spain-during-world-cup-celebrations/"></div>


<h2>A similar situation happened earlier at the World Cup</h2>



<p>A practically identical sequence played out earlier in the tournament, during the group stage clash between the <strong>United States</strong> and <strong>Paraguay</strong>. American defender <strong>Tim Ream</strong> was originally booked for a foul on <strong>Miguel Almiron</strong>, and VAR intervened to review the play.</p>



<p>Just as with Paredes and Embolo, the review corrected the identity of the offending player, Ream’s card was rescinded, and <strong>Almiron was booked instead for simulation</strong>. It’s the same mechanism the IFAB has now flagged as improperly applied in the Embolo case, underscoring that the issue wasn’t isolated to a single match.</p>


IFAB confirms there was a mistake in Breel Embolo’s sending-off vs Argentina at the 2026 World Cup

IFAB confirms there was a mistake in Breel Embolo's sending-off vs Argentina at the 2026 World Cup - World Soccer Talk


<p><strong>Emmanuel Latte Lath</strong>‘s stint at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/atlanta-united/"><strong>Atlanta United</strong></a> has proven to be deeply disappointing for a player who, at the time of his signing, set a record as the most expensive transfer in <strong>MLS</strong> history. Now, with the striker facing an imminent exit, <strong>his departure could clear the path for reported target </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/darwin-nunez/"><strong>Darwin Nuñez</strong></a><strong> or Breel Embolo to join the Five Stripes</strong>.</p>



<p>Back in February 2025, <strong>Atlanta United shelled out a $22 million transfer fee to acquire Latte Lath from English Championship side Middlesbrough</strong>, briefly making him the most expensive arrival in league history. However, his on-field production lagged far behind his price tag, prompting club executives to actively seek a move for the forward.</p>



<p>Ahead of Wednesday’s match against Charlotte FC, where Latte Lath was omitted from the matchday squad, Atlanta United’s sporting director addressed the forward’s status on <em>92.9 The Game</em>: “<em><strong>We’re having a few conversations around him, and so out of precaution we’ve kept him out of this game</strong>. That’s about the extent of what I’m going to say about it at the moment.</em>“</p>



<p>If a transfer materializes, Latte Lath will leave the Georgia club less than two years after his arrival. <strong>In 48 appearances across all competitions, the Ivory Coast international managed just 11 goals and four assists</strong> while featuring in the worst campaign in franchise history in 2025, when Atlanta finished 29th in the overall MLS standings with just 28 points.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/07/23130006/emmanuel-latte-lath-atlanta-united-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="Emmanuel Latte Lath #9 of Atlanta United attempts a shot." class="wp-image-668161"><figcaption>Emmanuel Latte Lath #9 of Atlanta United attempts a shot.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Darwin Nuñez or Breel Embolo to fill the Designated Player slot</h2>



<p>According to <em>The Athletic</em>‘s Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio, <strong>Atlanta United is aggressively pursuing Uruguay international Darwin Nuñez</strong>. Swiss international Breel Embolo has also emerged as a primary target to bolster manager Gerardo “<em>Tata</em>” Martino’s front line, though the club is expected to prioritize just one of the two options.</p>


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<p>Nuñez joined Saudi side Al Hilal from Liverpool for €53 million in 2025, but struggled to hold down a consistent starting role in Riyadh. Following Karim Benzema’s arrival in February, and with Saudi Pro League rules capping clubs at eight foreign players, <strong>head coach Simone Inzaghi left the Uruguayan striker out of his league roster</strong>.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/breel-embolo/"><strong>Embolo</strong></a> presents a second marquee option following a strong showing at the World Cup. The Swiss international made a <strong>€13 million move to Stade Rennais in 2025</strong>, making him a significantly more cost-effective alternative for Atlanta United compared to a full permanent transfer for Nuñez.</p>



<p>Atlanta United currently occupies all three of its Designated Player (DP) slots <strong>with Miguel Almiron, Aleksei Miranchuk, and Latte Lath</strong>. Once the Ivorian’s departure is finalized, a coveted DP slot will open up, giving the club the flexibility to complete a deal for Nuñez, Embolo, or another top-tier attacking target.</p>


Emmanuel Latte Lath’s departure could open the door for Darwin Nuñez or Breel Embolo at Atlanta United

Emmanuel Latte Lath's departure could open the door for Darwin Nuñez or Breel Embolo at Atlanta United - World Soccer Talk

<p>The 48th minute of Cameroon’s 2022 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a> opener is a perfect example of the thin line between victory and defeat. The Switzerland team (minus goalscorer Breel Embolo because he was born in Cameroon) celebrate in front of a frenzied crowd, relieved that the close-fought game is finally going their way.</p>



<p>Only a few yards away, Andre Onana and the Cameroon defense look anguished, knowing that their chance of winning its first World Cup match in 20 years would be even harder.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breel Embolo puts Switzerland on top and decides not to celebrate his goal against Cameroon, his birth country 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/7amWCNa9kD">pic.twitter.com/7amWCNa9kD</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1595738829142593539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>And indeed it was hard. The swarming, unstoppable Swiss press broke down Cameroon’s offense, and the energetic attack kept Andre Onana hard at work. Yet the Indomitable Lions should not blame the loss on Switzerland’s excellence. </p>



<p>This flat Cameroon side was nothing like the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/12/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-cameroon-argentina?adlt=strict&amp;toWww=1&amp;redig=6B9837B000C7427981EDA9F6618622DB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1990 Cameroonian squad </a>that left Diego Maradona and Gheorghe Hagi speechless at the World Cup, nor the 2002 AFCON team that went undefeated en route to its fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. Cameroon, dysfunctional and disjointed, looks worse than ever as today’s match with Switzerland showed.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cameroon, please take your chances before the chances take you</p>— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaddickAdams/status/1595728510995529738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h4>Onana’s heroics not enough </h4>



<p>For a good while, Cameroon’s game against Switzerland looked surprisingly even. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo forced a save out of Yann Sommer, and Hellas Verona winger Martin Hongla nearly scored to give Cameroon a comfortable lead. </p>



<p>City center-back Manuel Akanji nearly broke the deadlock as the first half closed with a glancing header to the bottom right corner. But Akanji’s poor touch on the ball ensured the game stayed even going into halftime.</p>



<p>But finally, Switzerland broke through in the 48th minute when Xherdan Shaqiri played a perfect cross to Embolo, who easily tucked the chance away. And from then on, Cameroon looked lost. </p>



<p>Ruben Vargas nearly scored from the exact spot as Embolo, but Onana’s diving save kept Cameroon in the game. Granit Xhaka nearly doubled Switzerland’s lead in the 89th, but Onana’s outstretched fingertips denied yet another shot attempt.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Switzerland vs. Cameroon Highlights | 2022 FIFA World Cup" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/32RyT05OpVE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Even though Cameroon parried shot after shot away on defense, their offense couldn’t retaliate after Embolo’s opener. Eric Choupo-Moting almost scored in the 57th, but his low-quality shot did not have a realistic chance of going in. And so the game ended with a sluggish Cameroon left wondering what went wrong.</p>



<h4>Cameroon struggling with the press</h4>



<p>A key reason why Cameroon couldn’t see a lot of time on the ball was because of Switzerland’s stiff press. The pressure extended all the way to the corner flags, up and down the touchline, and anywhere Switzerland had a realistic chance of scoring off a counter-attack.</p>



<p>Cameroon faced a well-oiled machine, an octopus with an infinite amount of legs when greeted by the Swiss attack. And for the most part, it canceled Cameroon’s greatest asset; their possession.</p>



<p>Cameroon’s possession never dipped below 50% in the Africa Cup of Nations, and it was a big reason why Cameroon got all the way to the semifinal matchup. It was also a big reason for Cameroon’s losses against South Korea, where they had just 37% possession, and Switzerland, where they saw a minority of the ball.</p>



<p>Cameroon might have an easier time against Serbia, a team that usually does need possession to win games. But if Cameroon cannot beat through Serbia with its back line, it could spell disaster.</p>



<h4>Aboubakar snubbed for Choupo-Moting</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is our issue this tournament – Aboubakar is the only proven striker for an African nation in Qatar <a href="https://t.co/gDVf2MGgYT">https://t.co/gDVf2MGgYT</a></p>— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) <a href="https://twitter.com/MezahiMaher/status/1595390579562749952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Vincent Aboubakar is undoubtedly the most influential player Cameroon has seen in a decade or so. He has 92 caps and 33 goals, both the most among active players. He scored the winning penalty against Senegal in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, and the winning goal in the finals against Egypt. He’s consistently shown up time and time again for his country.</p>



<p>Surprisingly, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting took his place as the starting center-forward against Switzerland. A traditional winger, Choupo-Moting acclimated easily into the center-forward position. He won three duels and had 28 touches. </p>



<p>However, Choupo-Moting didn’t have the killer finish Aboubakar provides. He had one shot blocked, and Yann Sommer easily saved his only on-target shot.</p>



<p>Song subbed Aboubakar for Choupo-Moting with 16 minutes left on the clock. The Swiss defense had a tough time defending the target forward, and Aboubakar had 12 touches in the final third, but his wingers couldn’t give him the headers Aboubakar excels with.</p>



<p>That’s why I think a front three of Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting, and Karl Toko Ekambi would fit Cameroon’s playstyle better. Not only would you include all three of the country’s best attackers in one lineup, but Toko Ekambi and Choupo-Moting are both great dribbles and have experience on the wings. Instead of having to choose between two and leaving one out, as Song did against Switzerland, Cameroon can have all three.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo</em></p>


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<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
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Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
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Cameroon falls flat against Switzerland in 1-0 loss

Breel Embolo's sleek finish in the 48th minute doomed Cameroon to a close, albeit disappointing loss. What went wrong?

Cameroon falls flat against Switzerland in 1-0 loss - World Soccer Talk

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Cameroon falls flat against Switzerland in 1-0 loss