Sources confirm VAR mistake in USA 4-1 Paraguay which helped the USMNT

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The United States coasted to a 4-1 win over Paraguay in the opening game of Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A double from Folarin Balogun – who became a US citizen by accident – fired Mauricio Pochettino to three points in his first World Cup game in charge of the United States, as an own goal from Damian Bobadilla and a late strike from Gio Reyna put the icing on the cake for the USMNT.

However – as sources inform BBC Sport – a mistake was made by referee Danny Makkelie which aided the United States.

Danny Makkelie should not have overturned Tim Ream yellow card

The first ever example of VAR dealing with a case of ‘mistaken identity’ was seen at a World Cup during the clash between the United States and Paraguay.

Makkelie initially showed Tim Ream a yellow card after he had appeared to foul Miguel Almiron.

However, the Dutch official then cancelled the booking and gave the yellow card to the Paraguay international instead, after a glimpse at the VAR monitor proved the former Newcastle United star had dived.

It felt like the correct call, and it was even praised by Danny Murphy on commentary duty for BBC Sport. The former Liverpool star said: “Good spot and the right decision I may add. That’s the main thing. Any adaptation of the rules that means diving gets punished is good.”

However, sources can now confirm that it was a mistake to use VAR for an incident of this nature.

BBC Sport state that “the offence itself cannot be reviewed” when it comes to mistaken identity, which is what Makkelie did by going to the monitor.

VAR should only be used in this instance when the wrong player has been shown a card. Some will argue that this is what happened, as Almiron did dive and Ream made no contact on the South American, but that is not how FIFA intended for the rule to be put into action.

Effectively, Makkelie took the rule too literally.

It undoubtedly helped the United States, as Ream was able to play most of the second half without having to walk a disciplinary tightrope.

What IFAB say about mistaken identity rule

According to the International Football Association Board – also known as IFAB – VAR can be used to ‘assist the referee only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to:

• Goal/no goal

• Penalty/no penalty

• Red card (including a clearly incorrect second caution)

• Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player)

To put it simply, VAR could only be used in the incident involving Almiron and Ream if it was another United States player who was thought to have ‘fouled’ the Paraguayan.

Makkelie had already made the decision to give Paraguay a freekick in that instance – which he ought to have stuck to – and was not technically allowed to use VAR to change that particular outcome.