Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDuring USAs opening fixture of the World Cup 2026, the co-hosts became the beneficiaries of a new rule that has now been debuted at the tournament.Facing off against Paraguay, the USMNT scored three goals in the first half during a seemingly endless wave of American attacks.Ten minutes into the second half, fortune favoured the USA once more, this time not through a goal, but through the use of a long-awaited mistaken identity ruling but what is that?The mistaken identity yellow card reversal rule, debuted during USA vs Paraguay at the World Cup 2026USA's Tim Ream seemingly delivered a crunching tackle on Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron, sending the latter crashing to the ground.It appeared that Ream clattered into Almirons body without touching the ball, causing the USMNT captain to receive a yellow card until the World Cup debuted its new rule. You may like What are the VAR rules at the World Cup 2026? Every new FIFA rule at the 2026 World Cup: Goalkeeper timeout ban, five-second countdowns and VAR offsides what's changed Who is the referee for USA vs Paraguay? The mistaken identity rule allows a yellow card to be overturned through a VAR check, which resulted in Almiron instead receiving a booking for simulation.The technology intervened, prompting referee Danny Makkelie to visit the screen and see whether his initial decision was incorrect.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.After a period of deliberation, the Dutchman concluded that his ruling was the result of deception from Almiron, who simulated contact.In turn, the mistaken identity rule allowed Makkelie to overturn his decision, reversing Reams yellow card and giving it instead to Almiron.This marked the first VAR intervention for mistaken identity at the World Cup, named mistaken identity to describe when a player deceives the referee. What to read next How to watch USA vs Paraguay for FREE Why there could be more cards than ever before at World Cup 2026 Is there VAR in the World Cup? The USMNT are on their way to a remarkable Group D opening fixture win, with goals from Folarin Balogun, who bagged a brace, and a Paraguay own goal courtesy of Damien Bobadilla.The latter goal, the matchs opening strike, arrived through Christian Pulisic trickery, dribbling past multiple players on the left flank.USA limited Paraguay to zero Big Chances in 70 minutes, creating four for themselves, in front of a packed, largely home crowd at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, before Julio Enciso set up Mauricio for a strike back in the 73rd minute.Giovanni Reyna then hit a final dagger into Paraguayan hearts with a wonderful trivela finish in the 97th minute.The USMNT will now look ahead to their next Group D fixture against Australia on June 19, as the Americans aim to secure knock-out football.TOPICSUSAParaguayKedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
