FIFA World Cup: Tim Ream's yellow card overturned in historic VAR mix-up as USA beat Paraguay 4-1
Synopsis
A yellow card shown, a free kick taken, then VAR stepped in — and rewrote World Cup history. Tim Ream's booking was cancelled and Miguel Almirón was carded for simulation instead, marking the first mistaken-identity VAR correction at a FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun's brace and a 4-1 win announced the USA's arrival at their home tournament.
Key Takeaways
USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D opener at SoFi Stadium on 13 June .
Tim Ream's yellow card was overturned by VAR after Danny Makkelie identified a case of mistaken identity — a first in World Cup history.
Miguel Almirón was instead booked for simulation after the VAR review, approved by FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina .
Folarin Balogun scored twice before half-time, becoming only the second US player to net more than once in a single World Cup match.
Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla opened the scoring with an own goal, deflecting a Weston McKennie cut-back into his net.
Tim Ream became the centre of a landmark refereeing moment at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the United States opened their Group D campaign with a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, on Saturday, 13 June. The win was emphatic, but it was an unprecedented VAR intervention — not the scoreline — that will be replayed for years.
The Historic VAR Incident
Dutch referee Danny Makkelie initially booked 38-year-old USA defender Tim Ream during the second half, believing he had brought down Paraguay captain Miguel Almirón. However, after the resulting free kick had already been taken, VAR intervened — a sequence that left fans, players, and officials visibly confused.
Following a lengthy review at the pitch-side monitor, Makkelie reversed his decision entirely: Ream's yellow card was cancelled and Almirón was instead booked for simulation. This marked the first time VAR had corrected a mistaken-identity card at a FIFA World Cup, made possible by new laws introduced specifically for this tournament that expanded the scope of the review process.
The decision was subsequently approved by Pierluigi Collina, head of FIFA refereeing, who had recommended that reviews for second yellow cards and wrongful dismissals due to mistaken identity be eligible for VAR intervention. Notably, while second bookings have typically been reviewable, first-time yellow cards ordinarily are not — making this ruling a genuine first in World Cup history.
USA's Dominant Display Under Pochettino
The refereeing drama did little to disrupt the hosts. Under manager Mauricio Pochettino, the United States put on an assured and entertaining performance in front of a boisterous home crowd at SoFi Stadium.
The opening goal arrived early, courtesy of an unfortunate own goal by Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla, who deflected a cut-back from Weston McKennie into his own net. Striker Folarin Balogun then took over, netting twice before the interval to give the USA a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.
Balogun Makes World Cup History
Balogun's brace made him only the second United States player in history to score more than one goal in a single FIFA World Cup match — a milestone that underlined his importance to Pochettino's attacking plans. The USA went on to complete a 4-1 win, sending a statement to the rest of Group D.
What This Means Going Forward
The VAR ruling sets a precedent that officials and teams will closely monitor throughout the remainder of the tournament. For the USA, the emphatic opening win — on home soil, in front of their own supporters — signals genuine intent. With the expanded 48-team World Cup format placing greater importance on early group-stage momentum, Pochettino's side will take significant confidence into their next fixture.
Point of View
But the chaos that followed Makkelie's initial call suggests match officials and players have not been adequately drilled on the new procedures. Collina's post-hoc approval also sets a precedent that will be tested repeatedly across a 48-team field — and not always in circumstances as clear-cut as simulation.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with Tim Ream's yellow card at the FIFA World Cup?
Referee Danny Makkelie initially booked Tim Ream for a foul on Miguel Almirón during the second half of the USA vs Paraguay match on 13 June. VAR intervened after the free kick had been taken, and following a pitch-side monitor review, Makkelie reversed the decision — cancelling Ream's card and booking Almirón for simulation instead. It was the first mistaken-identity card correction by VAR in FIFA World Cup history.
Why was this VAR intervention considered historic?
It was the first time VAR had corrected a case of mistaken identity for a yellow card at a FIFA World Cup. New laws introduced for the 2026 tournament expanded VAR's remit to include reviews of wrongful dismissals and mistaken-identity bookings, a change approved and recommended by FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina.
How did the USA perform against Paraguay in their World Cup opener?
The United States won 4-1 in Group D at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California. They led 3-0 at half-time, with a Damian Bobadilla own goal and a Folarin Balogun brace doing the damage before the interval.
What record did Folarin Balogun set at the World Cup?
Folarin Balogun became only the second United States player in history to score more than one goal in a single FIFA World Cup match, netting twice before half-time against Paraguay on 13 June.
Who approved the VAR decision to overturn Tim Ream's yellow card?
The decision was approved by Pierluigi Collina, head of FIFA refereeing, who had previously recommended that VAR reviews be extended to cover mistaken-identity bookings and wrongful dismissals at the 2026 World Cup.
